Rt*l 



srage 




Qass_ 



Book. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 




REV. L. S. FOSTER AND WIFE. 



MISSISSIPPI 



BAPTIST PREACHERS, 



BY 

U s/ FOSTER, 

PASTOR OF SENATOBIA BAPTIST CHURCH, 
SENATOBIA, MISSISSIPPI. 







ST. LOUIS, MO.: 
NATIONAL BAPTIST PUBLISHING COMPANY, 

i895:- , 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, 
November, 1894, by 

L. S. FOSTER, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress at 
Washington. 



PRINTED BY 

D D. RAY & CO., 

919 OLIVE STR., 

ST. LOUIS, MO. 



PREFACE. 



"I have perpetrated a book," as Rev. R. E. Melvin 
would say. But it is a book which I am profoundly con- 
vinced is needed. It has proved to be one exceedingly diffi- 
cult to prepare, not because of any extraordinary intellectual 
power demanded — then I had despaired — but because of the 
extreme difficulty in securing the necessary material. Bap- 
tist preachers— God bless them all ! — I have found exceedingly 
modest men, unwilling to "blaze abroad" their deeds, and 1 
appreciate them all the more for that fact. I can assure every 
one who is kind enough to read these pages that if there is 
anything "set down" which savors of vanity, it is to be 
accredited to myself and not to the brother who is being 
sketched. In all cases where I have obtained material directly 
from brethren it has been mainly a brief outline, and the pic- 
ture has been filled in by myself, In many cases sketches 
have been furnished by some friend. In some cases churches 
have appointed committees to gather and write sketches of 
former ministers. But, alas, after all, how meager are these 
results of five years' gathering of material ! Many good 
brethren have neglected appeals in the Record, "a personal 
request" sent directly, and every other appeal for data. A 
church committee on sketches wrote: "DEAR BRO. FOSTER: — 
The church record is lost, the family have died and moved 
away and we have not all the dates. Yours truly, Com- 
mittee." That is the sad story of the life-work of many an 
honored and useful minister of Jesus Christ. 

Because of the modesty of Baptist preachers, and because 
of the general indifference of Baptists to their history, some 
honored names may not appear in these pages. None can 



4 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

regret this more than I do. I wished to have the entire 
brotherhood of the pulpit represented. I perseveringly tried 
to do this, but did not fully succeed. There was not material 
in hand for complete success in my effort and no friend sup- 
plied the deficiency. As to the portraits, there has not been 
a single one inserted except upon a personal request from me, 
or the desire of some friend or relative of a deceased brother 
to have the portrait inserted. The engravings belong to 
friends who have paid for them, and will be sent to them as 
soon as these pages see the light. Should any of these en- 
gravings become injured by any accident I can secure dupli- 
cates at a sjnall cost each. 

I have a greater respect for and a much higher apprecia- 
tion of my brethren in the ministry by reason of what I have 
learned of them during the preparation of these pages. I have 
also been impressed with the fact of the frequent occurrence 
of sketching a father and son who were preachers, and in one 
case, father, son and grandson — John P. Martin, his son, M. 
T. Martin, and his grandson, T. T. Martin. The cases of 
father and son are too numerous to mention. 

It is possible that some mistakes may have occurred in 
the spelling of proper names, for in some of the communica- 
tions it has been exceedingly difficult to make out the names — 
in a few cases 1 utterly failed and was obliged to leave out 
the names — and it would be marvelous if I have not in some 
instances made mistakes in such difficult work, without any 
guide to help, or any context to enable me to rightly decipher 
names. However, the best possible effort has been made to 
secure accuracy in this particular. 

Acknowledgment is hereby made of help received from 
Maj. Louis H. Everts' Cathcart's "Baptist Encyclopaedia," 
Borum's "Sketches of Tennessee Baptist Preachers," John 
G, Jones' "Protestantism in Mississippi and the Southwest," 
Capt. John T. Buck's Historical Articles, Catalogue of the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Bond's edition of 
Minutes of Mississippi Association, kindly furnished me for 
use by Rev. J. B. Hamberlin, and from many kind friends. 



MISSISSIPPI. BAPTIST PREACHERS. 5 

No doubt some will be ready to criticize the work. The 
pictures will not please all, notwithstanding they have been 
made by one of the best of portrait engravers. Other things 
will not please others. Well, "fire away, brethren;" your 
criticisms are all merited and more besides. 

May the Holy Spirit graciously bless what has here been 
written for His glory, and may it all be stimulating and help- 
ful to the future. L. S. FOSTER. 
Senatobia, Miss., Dece?nber 10, 1894. 



Mississippi Baptist Preachers, 



INTRODUCTION. 



Before entering upon the real work proposed in these 
pages it seems proper to state some introductory facts relative 
to the origin of the Baptists in Mississippi. The chief sources 
of information for these facts are the following: * 'Protestant- 
ism in Mississippi," by the late Rev. John G. Jones, of the 
Southern Methodist Episcopal organization. "Historical 
Sketches of the Baptists of Mississippi" (several articles in 
Ford's Christian Repository), by Gapt. John T. Buck, of 
Jackson; and Bond's edition of the "Minutes of the Missis- 
sippi Association," from 1806 to 1849. In his articles Capt. 
Buck acknowledges himself largely indebted to the volume of 
Mr. Jones mentioned above. With this general acknowledg- 
ment I appropriate the facts as a piece of public property. 

"In the spring of 1780, Richard Curtis, senior, with his 
own immediate family, and the families of John Jones, Wil- 
liam Curtis, Berry Curtis, Richard Curtis, junior, John 
Courtney and John Stampley, left South Carolina, and 
after a perilous journey down the Holston, Tennessee, 
Ohio and Mississippi rivers, through the wilderness 
where bands of savages were constantly on the alert to 
murder men, women and children, landed at the mouth of 
Cole's Creek, about twenty miles above Natchez by land." 

These all were Baptists and were members of a church 
in South Carolina. Richard Curtis, junior, was a licensed 
preacher. The elder Richard Curtis was not a preacher. 



8 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Mr. Jones says: "To the eastward and southward of 
their place of debarkation they mainly made their first settle- 
ments in the country, within ten or twenty miles, of the 
Mississippi river. For several years they had to endure 
many privations and hardships incident to a new country but 
poorly supplied with even the necessaries of life." 

These early Baptists "were regular in their family 
devotions from their first settlement in the country, but 
the Spanish government — which only recognized the Ro- 
man Catholic form of worship, and forbade all others — 
having lately taken under its jurisdiction the Natchez district, 
they scarcely knew what to do in regard to public worship. 
After mutual consultation they agreed to meet together in 
private dwellings, at set times, for the purpose of reading and 
expounding the Scriptures, exhortation and prayer, hoping in 
this way to keep the members united and alive to their spir- 
itual interests. These meetings, which were found to be so 
profitable to the members of the church, soon attracted the 
attention of the American portion of the population, many of 
whom desired to be present and enjoy once more the quick- 
ening and hallowing influences of Protestant worship. Thus 
things went on through a series of years without exciting 
much open opposition from the Catholic authorities. Richard 
Curtis, senior, died November 10, 1784, and by this time his 
son Richard had become quite a preacher. John Stampley, 
the brother-in-law of Richard Curtis, junior, was quite gifted 
in exhortation, as was also his brother, Jacob Stampley, both 
of whom afterwards became Baptist preachers. William 
Curtis, an elder brother of Richard, was gifted in extem- 
poraneous prayer, as was also John Jones and several 
others." 

William Hamberlin, a prominent American citizen, and 
Steven De Alvo, a Spaniard, who had married an American 
lady, having been converted and desiring baptism and church 
membership, the question arose as to whom should or could 
baptize them, Richard Curtis not. yet being ordained. The 
question was referred to the home church, in South Carolina, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 9 

and seems to have been answered in about this way, ''that 
there is no law against necessity, and under the present stress 
of circumstances the members ought to assemble and formally 
appoint one of their number, by election, to baptize the young 
converts." Richard Curtis was appointed to administer the 
ordinance and baptized Hamberlin, De Alvo, and others, both 
men and women. 

Their assemblies and worship, however, soon brought 
down upon them the wrath of the Roman Catholic authorities; 
and it must be admitted that, in their zeal and convictions of 
the righteousness of their cause, they sometimes unnecessarily 
provoked the opposition of their enemies, by denouncing their 
idolatrous tenets in immoderate language. The storm of 
persecution burst upon them and the Catholic authorities 
determined to crush out the heresy, the more so because con- 
verts were being made from the Catholics themselves. 

The Catholic commander wrote a respectful letter, it 
seems, to Curtis, warning him to cease from his promulgation 
of his doctrines and building up his faith, who in turn bluntly 
gave this commander (Don Manuel Gayoso de Semos) to 
understand that he would pay no attention to his remon- 
strance. Curtis' reply provoked the outbreak. He was 
arrested and carried before Governor Gayoso, April 6, 1795. 
Mr. Jones says: ''At the close of the investigation Curtis 
was assured that if he did not unequivocally promise to desist 
from all public preaching he would be sent, with several of his 
adherents, especially Hamberlin and De Alvo, to work in the 
silver mines of Mexico." Some influence led him to ' 'prom- 
ise to refrain thereafter from what was in open violation of 
the laws of the province." 

This promise to the governor gave Curtis a great deal of 
unrest of conscience, and caused him to fear that he had 
been untrue to his obligations to Christ. He and his friends, 
upon consultation, agreed that his promise did not bind them 
to abstain from holding meetings for conference, prayer and 
exhortation, and meetings of this kind were held but with the 
greatest care and secresy, and with sentinels stationed to 



10 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

report the presence of suspicious persons. These meetings, 
however, were known to the enemies, and they were 
construed by the authorities into a violation of Curtis' 
promise to the governor. His having also officiated at the 
marriage of his niece, Miss Jones, the law permitting only 
Catholic priests to perform the marriage ceremony, increased 
the hostility of his enemies. Orders were issued for the 
arrest -of Curtis, Hamberlin and De Alvo and their transpor- 
tation to the silver mines of Mexico for hard work there 
the remainder of their lives. 

They clandestinely left the settlement and concealed 
themselves at x the house of a friend on Little Bayou Pierre, 
near the present site of Port Gibson. There they remained 
until they could be provided with what was needed for their 
journey. Necessary supplies aud furnishings for their 
journey must be carried to them by some one and not a man 
was willing to risk the consequences of aiding them in their 
escape. 

Mr. Jones says: "There lived in the vicinity a noble- 
hearted and daring woman by the name of Chloe Holt, who 
acted in the capacity of accoucheress for the settlement, and 
was every way suitable for such an adventure as was now on 
hand. Aunt Chloe had a kind and sympathizing heart, but 
an iron will — was determined and bold, and withal was a 
little eccentric. While she was all aglow to have the pleasure 
and honor of conveying the needed supplies to the exiles, she 
wished to hit a back-handed lick at what she considered the 
cowardice of the men of the neighborhood. 'If the men in 
the neighborhood,' said she, 'are so faint-hearted that not one 
of them can be prevailed upon to take Dick Curtis and his 
companions in exile their promised supplies, in order to secure 
their escape from the clutches of these gospel-hating Cath- 
olics, if they will furnish me with a good horse, surmounted 
with a man's saddle, I will go in spite of the Spaniards, and 
they may catch me if they can.' The families and friends of 
the refugees were glad to avail themselves of the generous 
offer, and a suitable horse was accordingly brought and sad- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. II 

died as she directed. All things being ready she made her 
appearance dressed, cap-a-pie, in gentleman's clothes, and 
mounting the horse, in cavalier style, boldly dashed off. The 
journey was hastily and successfully made. She took the 
last sad farewell of the loved exiles, delivered them their 
supplies, gave them her blessing, and returned as she went. 
No one molested Aunt Chloe, and ,th?t adventure was her 
boast to the close of her life. It is supposed she died and was 
buried in Warren county, somewhere about the head waters 
of Big Bayou Pierre." 

Curtis, Hamberlin and De Alvo made their escape to 
South Carolina and remained in exile from Catholic perse- 
cution over two years. During this time Mr. Curtis was 
ordained to the ministry, the presbytery consisting of Benj. 
Moseley and Mathew McCullans. 

About 1796 or 1797 Col. Andrew Ellicott was sent as a 
special commissioner of the United States to arrange a settle- 
ment with the Spanish authorities for the Natchez district, 
which was claimed by the United States, as it was within its 
territory. In June 1797, during these negotiations, John 
Hannah, a Baptist preacher called upon Col. Ellicott at 
Natchez and asked permission to preach in the camp of his 
escort. Out of deference to Governor Gayoso the request 
was referred to him and he readily gave his consent. Rev. 
Mr. Hannah preached on the 4th of June, Shortly after he 
got into a controversy with some Irish Catholics, who, becom- 
ing enraged with his denunciations of their superstitions, beat 
him severely. He applied to the Spanish governor for justice, 
and he had him locked up in prison and his legs placed in the 
stocks. 

Rev, Mr. Hannah, being a citizen of the United States, 
this act of the Spanish Governor came near causing a serious 
disturbance between Col. Ellicott and the Spaniards, the 
colonel threatening to storm the fort in which they were com- 
pelled to take refuge. But the matter was amicably adjusted 
after some two weeks of negotiation, and Rev. Mr, Hannah 
was released. Rev. Mr. Hannah is said to have lived many 



12 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

years after this a useful and pious life. His name appears as 
a delegate from the Bayou Pierre church in the minutes of the 
Mississippi Association in 1814. 

The Spanish were reluctant to relinguish their authority 
in the Natchez district, and "after considerable delay Col. 
Ellicott demanded that the Spaniards evacuate Fort Rosalie 
by the 30th of March, 1798, and before day that morning they 
marched out and surrendered the country to the government 
of the United States. The Americans soon after erected a 
large bush arbor under which they placed a pulpit and invited 
Bailey Chaney, a licensed Baptist preacher, to preach a 
sermon 'under the stars and stripes.' He had an immense 
congregation, and doubtless all enjoyed this, the first religious 
service ever held under the United States government, in 
what is now Mississippi." (J. T. Buck.) 

Bailey and William Chaney were from South Car- 
olina. Bailey was a licensed preacher; but during the absence 
of Richard Curtis in exile William was appointed by the con- 
gregation to baptize several converts. 

Mr. Jones gives this incident: "Another prominent Bap- 
tist of that day was a man by the name of Harigail, from 
Georgia, who, it is presumed, was a licensed preacher. He 
seems, from circumstances mentioned in connection with his 
history, to have been a warm-hearted, impulsive, bold man, 
and somewhat imprudent in the manifestations of his zeal. 
On one occasion, after denouncing the superstition and despot- 
tism of the papal hierarchy, and exhorting his brethren to 
constancy in the face of all opposition from that source, he 
quoted the following sentence from the Epistleto the Hebrews: 
"Ye have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin" This 
language was repeated to the priesthood at Natchez, and by 
them construed into insurrectionary designs against the gov- 
ernment; and an attempt was made to arrest and imprison 
Harigail; but he escaped, and was harbored for some time by 
a man, not a professor of religion, by the name of Morris 
Custard. Mr. Custard was accused of complicity in the 
escape of Harigail, and was imprisoned several months," 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 1 3 

The Constitution of the United States had already been 
ratified by the State and adopted as the organic law of the 
nation in 1787, guaranteeing that "Congress shall make no 
law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the 
free exercise thereof." The establishment of the United 
States authority in the Natchez district filled these early 
Baptists with rejoicing. Their public meetings were resum- 
ed; a rude house for worship had been built of logs in the 
Stampley's settlement; and the three exiled brethren in South 
Carolina were sent for to return to their homes and labors 
for the Master. 

Soon after the return of Curtis "the congregation met in 
• conference and proceeded to organize a church. Rev, Mr. 
Curtis presided as moderator. This must have been in the 
fall of 1798. This was known as Salem church 'and stood 
among the upper branches of the South Fork of Cole's Creek, 
in Jefferson county, on what is still known as the Salem road. 
Their usual place of immersion was in Harper's Fork, a little 
to the south of the church.' " (Buck.) 

The name given by these early Baptists to their church, 
the first Baptists church ever organized on Mississippi soil, 
Salem {peace), was eminently appropriate and suggestive. 
They now enjoyed peace after years of persecution and unrest. 
Some of its old manuscript records are still in existence, in 
the possession of the Mississippi Baptist Historical Society. 
While the old church has long since become extinct, the 
moderator of the Baptist State Convention uses a gavel made 
from wood which grew on the site of this old church, with the 
words,, "Salem" and "Curtis," carved upon it. This gavel 
was presented to the Convention, during its session in 1876, 
held in the city of Jackson. Dr. J. A. Hacket, now senior 
editor of the Baptist Record, presented it with an appropriate 
address. 

Dissensions sprang up in the Salem church after about 
fifteen years of great prosperity, and after a revival in 18 12 
and 181 3, unparalleled in the country up to that time; there 
were bickerings and alienations among the members, until in 



14 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

1819, there appears in the minutes of the Mississippi Associa- 
tion the entry, "SALEM, NO DELEGATION " "About 1835 
or 1840 the church building was partly destroyed by fire (a 
brick building had been erected), only the walls were left 
standing and they were gradually removed, and at this day 
there are very few who can tell where the old house stood." 
(Buck.) 

"The second church organized in Mississippi was on 
Second Creek in Adams county and called New Hope. From 
the fact that Rev. Mr. Curtis' name appears in the minutes 
of the Mississippi Association as a delegate from this church, 
I infer that he was a member, if not pasior, thereof. There 
is no record of its history obtainable except the brief men- 
tions found in the minutes of the association. It was very 
generally represented in its meetings until 1833, after which 
date it was not mentioned, and the presumption is it followed 
in the wake of Salem." (Buck.) 

"Soon after the organization of New Hope, a third* church, 
called Bethel, was organized at what is now known as Bayou 
Sara. In 1805 New Providence and Ebenezer churches were 
organized in Amite county." (Buck.) 

In September, 1806, five churches, — Bethel near the 
present site of Woodville, (Wilkinson county), New Hope, 
(Jefferson county), New Providence, (Amite county), Eben- 
ezer, (Amite county) and Salem (Jefferson county) — "met, 
by their delegates, on Cole's Creek, to organize an associa- 
tion, and organized, but did not publish their minutes. In 
September, 1807, they met at Bethel, and were more fully 
organized, and published their minutes. We date the exist- 
ence of the Mississippi Baptist Association from 1806." 
(Bond.) 

The blessings of God rested upon these early churches 
and the labors of their ministers. Other churches were or- 
ganized from time to time and received into the association. 
In September, 1820, eight churches, which had been dis- 
missed from the association, by their delegates, met with the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. I 5 

Bayou Pierre church and organized the Union Association, 
the eldest daughter of the Mississippi Association. 

In October, 1820, fourteen churches, east of Pearl River, 
were dismissed, and by their delegates, met with Fair River 
church, Lawrence county, November 4, 1820, and, with rep- 
resentatives from five other churches (twenty-three churches 
in all), organized the Pearl River Association. 

With three strongly organized and zealous associations of 
churches, we may consider the Baptist faith well planted in 
Mississippi. 

The Articles of Faith of the old mother association have 
not the slightest taint of Arminianism, but are decidedly 
Pauline all the way through. These fathers seem not to 
have had the slightest hesitation or fear to speak out as 
strongly as the Scriptures do on the subjects of divine sover- 
eignty, election, human impotency, and truths growing out of 
them. 

We turn now to the task proposed, the presentation of 
sketches of the Baptist Ministry of Mississippi as far as the 
necessary material has been accessible. After much consid- 
eration the alphabetical rather than the chronological method 
has been adopted. 



II. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 




-N. Q. ADAMS. 



N. Q. Adams. This earn- 
est and devout minister, who 
still lives near Sturgis, Ok- 
tibbeha county, was born in 
Rutherford county, N. C, 
January 22, 1839. With his 
parents he moved to Chicka- 
saw county, Miss., while an 
infant, His father died when 
he was four years old, and he 
was raised mostly in Choc- 
taw county on a farm, with 
limited educational advan- 
tages. At the age of thirteen 
he professed faith in Christ, 
and was baptized by Rev. T. 



P. Montgomery, uniting with Bethlehem church, Choctaw 
county and remaining a member of that church until 1869. 
He was licensed to preach in 1868, and went into the consti- 
tution of Chestnut Grove church, Oktibbeha county in 1869. 
In the next year, 1870, he was ordained to the full work of 
the ministry, the presbytery being Revs, M. Bennett and I. 
A. J. Owen. As pastor he served Chestnut Grove and 
Antioch churches in 1870, In 1874 he moved his member- 
ship to Wake Forest church, Oktibbeha county, of which he 
is still a member and the pastor. Every year since his ordi- 
nation he has sustained pastoral relations to from two to four 
churches. At present he is pastor of four churches, During 



18 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

his pastoral labors he has had the pleasure of baptizing his 
oldest brother, all of his own daughters and two of his sons- 
in-law. He was moderator of the Louisville Association in 
1880, 1886, 1887, 1892, was moderator of the Chester Asso- 
ciation at its organization in 1892, and is still (1894) its 
moderator. 

Mr. Adams was married, December 22, 1857, to Miss 
Catherine A. Griffith. In July, 1861, he joined the Confed- 
erate army as private in Capt. E. O, Huntly's Company 
(A), Twenty-seventh Mississippi Regiment. In 1863 he was 
elected second-lieutenant of his company. In the Tennessee 
army he fought under Gen. Bragg in the battles of Perry ville, 
Ky., Murfreesborro and Chickamauga, Tenn., and was with 
the army through the Georgia campaign. He was always at 
his post of duty in several hard fought battles, the last of 
which was at Atlanta, July 28, 1864, in which he lost an arm. 
Returning home in October following, he began renting land 
and farming for a living. With one arm he can do almost 
any kind of farm work, plowing, hoeing, etc. God has 
blessed his labors and he owns a home and farm and stock, 
and is free from debt. In October, 1867, his wife died, leav- 
ing him with two little girls. On December 11, 1870, he 
was married to Miss L. A. Hannah, who has proved a help- 
mate to him indeed, living a consistent and beautiful Chris- 
tian life, until September 7, 1892, she too fell asleep in Jesus. 

Ten years ago (1883) Mr. Adams had baptized about 
one hundred and twenty persons. During these ten years 
he has been abundant in labors and many more have been 
received into the churches through his instrumentality. He 
is a pleasant speaker and useful minister, and his "praise is 
in all the churches." 

The writer will never forget that on one occasion, when 
he was hauling a heavy load of lumber over a muddy road, 
his wagon got stuck fast in a mud hole. In this helpless con- 
dition, this kind-hearted minister chanced to come along, and 
hitching his strong team to the load of lumber, Mr. Adams 
soon had it on terra fir ma. Meeting this kind-hearted friend 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 19 

at the State Convention, at Winona, Miss., July, 1894, the 
writer reminded him of this incident and suggested that it was 
in pleasing contrast with the conduct of another preacher who 
afterwards passed him in a similar plight. 

M. C. Allen was born in Jacksonville, 111., September 
11, 1828. His father was a physician. At the age of four 
he removed with his parents to the Sunny South, settling in 
Carroll county, Miss, In this section he had his first con- 
viction of sin. The father was a wicked man, the mother, 
not a member of the church, though she was in sentiment a 
Baptist, and seems to have been pious. For during a serious 
illness of young Allen, she talked to him of sin and salvation. 
During a season spent in Grenada county, after recovery, the 
boy received lessons on religion from his grandmother that 
kept him serious. In 1838 the family moved to Pontotoc 
county, where the youth heard the first preachers he remem- 
bers, Drs. Ware and Barbee and Rev, Martin Ball, all mis- 
sionaries from South Carolina. They organized Liberty 
church, twelve miles north of Pontotoc, of which Rev. Mr. 
Waldrop became pastor and after him Rev. James Boswell, 
Young Allen's early education was quite limited, though he 
was taught the elements of knowledge at home. At fourteen 
he professed faith in Christ while attending a Methodist camp 
meeting, and he and a sister joined the Methodist church. 
Sprinkling did not satisfy him and he requested baptism, to 
which the minister replied: "You are too late. I can admin- 
ister two modes of baptism, but not on one subject." 

The youth decided to read the Bible, and all confessions 
of faith he could find, but make the Bible his guide. On the 
advice of a pious colored man he and five other converted 
boys met in a secret place to read the Bible and pray as best 
they could for two years. At the age of eighteen he was sent 
to Cherry Creek school eight miles north of Pontotoc, to 
which school he generally walked. Here he gave himself 
earnestly to study for eighteen months. From his conversion 
he felt impressions of duty to preach the gospel, but kept 



20 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

these impressions concealed, though praying in public. He 
remained a Methodist though not satisfied. At twenty-one 
he was married to Miss Nancy Shettles, who was also a 
Methodist, a native of South Carolina. Of the conviction of 
duty he spoke, but continued to put off obedience. 

He and his wife joined Shady Grove Baptist church, six 
miles west of Pontotoc, and were baptized by the pastor, 
Rev. Elijah Smith, A long spell of fever, followed by car- 
buncles, which all thought would prove fatal, and which last- 
ed six months, brought him to the gates of death. During 
this affliction he decided to obey the call of duty, but financial 
losses caused him to defer the matter. 

Removing 'to Choctaw county he joined Philadelphia 
church, Rev. Reed Golden pastor, and was elected deacon. 
He passed safely through the civil war, with nothing left him 
except a considerable family and a debt of five hundred dol- 
lars. This he soon paid and bought a home. Quite soon he 
was licensed to preach, and was just entering this work when 
death came and took his wife. In the despondency of the 
hour he asked God to take him also to himself, but was con- 
science-smitten for his request. The divine forgiveness and 
help were given; strength to forgive an enemy was given; 
and he entered his ministerial work with hope and courage. 

In 1870 his ordination was requested and he was invited 
to the pastorate of two churches. He was ordained at 
Bethany church, Calhoun county, the presbytery being, 
James Fox Thomas Wilson, and E. J. Hardin. In December 
1870, he was again married, Mrs. M. N. Acock becoming his 
wife. His mother and his two oldest children were baptized 
into the fellowship of Bethany church. 

Since his ordination, Mr. Allen has sustained pastoral re- 
lation to from two to four churches each year. Bethany has 
been moved to Slate Springs, and he and family are still mem- 
bers of this church. He is now (1894) sixty-six years of age, 
afflicted with neuralgia, and has been in the ministry twenty- 
four years. He has served most acceptably a number of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 21 

churches in Calhoun, Grenada, Webster and Montgomery 
counties. 

T. B. Altom. Of this esteemed minister, long deceased, 
the late Rev. W. H. Head says: "At my first acquaintance 
with brother Altom he was living in Noxubee county. He 
afterwards lived in Louisville, Miss., and was pastor there. At 
a meeting of the Columbus Association a member found diffi- 
culty in recalling his name when frequently referring to him in 
a discussion. At length he arose and said: 'I will tell you 
how you may remember my name. The first part of it is 
Tom and the last part 'torn, and it is all-Tom, or Thomas B. 
Altom.' It was never forgotten afterwards. He had a way 
of putting things in his preaching sometimes not unlike this. 
For his educational advantages he was a preacher of much 
ability, and accomplished great good. For want of an adequate 
support he removed to Arkansas and died soon after." The 
memory of Rev. T. B. Altom is green and fragrant in Louis- 
ville, his former pastorate. Often has the writer heard his 
members there speak of pastor Altom's tender prayer-meeting 
expositions of the Psalms. 

J. D. Anderson was born at Dumas, Tippah county, 
Mississippi, in 1852. He began to preach in 1865, He pur- 
sued his studies in Mississippi College two years; and for a 
time at the University of the State. He studied in the South- 
ern Baptist Theological Seminary, Greenville, S. C, two 
sessions, from 1872 to 1874. During this time he was ordain- 
ed to the full work of the ministry at Academy church, Tippah 
county, Miss, He received the degree of A. M. from the 
Southwestern Baptist University, Jackson, Tenn. He has 
been an active consecrated pastor for a number of years, 
having served in this relation the churches of Temperance 
Hill, Clear Creek, New York, Mount Moriah, Shady Grove, 
Ashland, Pleasant Hill, Longtown, Single Springs, Mt. 
Lebanon, Byhalia, Lewisburg, Red Banks, Abbeville, Endora 
and Coffeeville, in Mississippi; and those at Germantown, Cen- 
tral, Collierville, Bartlett, Macon, Mt, Pisgah, Millington and 



22 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Big Creek, in Tennessee. It should not be inferred from this 
list of churches that his has been a ministry of unusual 
change, as he, in common with many pastors, has frequently 
served four churches cotemporaneously. During a part of this 
pastorate he taught Latin anh Greek in Blue Mountain 
Female College five years, and married Miss Maggie Lowrey, 
a member of the excellent family of the late Gen. M. P. 
Lowrey, D. D. At present (1894) he lives in Memphis, Tenn., 
and acceptably serves neighboring churches. He was clerk 
of the late meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, at 
Nashville, in 1894. 

C. L. Anderson was born in La Fayette county, Missis- 
sippi, January 10, 1869. He was the fourth child of D. 
H. and L. J. Anderson. The three older children died before 
he was three years old. His father served through the civil 
war as a Confederate soldier in the cavalry service. When 
he was three years old his mother quietly passed over the 
river into the heavenly land. 

He and an infant sister, Electa, found a home with grand- 
parents, after his father had sold his farm, invested in the 
mercantile business in Hermando, failed in business, and gone 
to Texas and died. On the farm he spent his boyhood, gath- 
ering at intervals of work such knowledge as was attainable 
in the common country schools, but this was unsatisfactory 
in a large measure. 

In the fall of 1882 he united with Good Hope Baptist 
church, Panola county, Mississippi and was baptized by Rev. 
H. J. Legge. He was the last and smallest of the candidates 
baptized. The closing prayer was made with the minister's 
hands resting on him. A petition was offered that God would 
send him to proclaim salvation to lost men. It seems that a 
conviction of duty to do this was produced in his heart which 
for six years he tried to suppress. This conviction deepened 
and he found no rest until this was communicated to his 
church. He was licensed to preach in 1888, and in Septem- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 23 

ber of that year he enterecTMississippi College as a ministerial 
student. 

During his first year in college his grandfather, who was 
his only financial dependence, suddenly died, after devoutly 
serving God fifty years and passing his three score and ten 
years. Again he was left homeless and penniless, with his 
sister younger than himself, for whom he felt it his duty to 
care. He found a home for his sister with an aunt in Water 
Valley. Returning to college, he found himself out of money, 
but had friends raised up who secured him work. For two 
years he was chief-cook in what the boys called "the frying- 
pan brigade." 

In August, 1 891, he was ordained to the full work of the 
ministry by Good Hope church. In his Sophomore year he ac- 
cepted the pastorate of Friendship church, Leake county, 
which he still holds, (1894). During his two and one-half 
years' pastorate forty-one have been added to the member- 
ship and there has been development along the various lines 
of work. At the beginning of his Junior year he was invited 
to give one-half of his time to the pastorate of Concord church, 
Yazoo county. Good results followed this pastorate. 

He graduated from Mississippi College May 31, 1893, with 
the highest honor in a class of fourteen. His sister has 
always shared a part of his small income and by her own work 
added to this has graduated from Blue Mountain Female Col- 
lege. 

At this time he has spent one session at the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary where he expects to take the 
full course. 

W. H. Anderson, on January 5, 1837, was called to the 
pastoral care of Fellowship church, Jefferson county. He 
was then just from Brown University. He continued as 
pastor until March 2, 1844, when he preached his farewell 
sermon for that time. On the third Sunday in May, 1869, he 
was again called to the care of the same church. But he 
simply preached as a supply for about a year. Having served 



24 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



the Fellowship church about seven years, he became pastor 
of the Wall Street church, Natchez, in 1844, and remained 
there several years. He was also pastor of the church at 
Jackson for a time. He left Mississippi and lived a number 
of years in St. Joseph, La., just across the river from Rodney, 
Miss. While living in Louisiana he did but little preaching. 
He was in his day one of our thoroughly educated men. He 
was a man of fine preaching ability, and presented a fine 
appearance in the pulpit, somewhat corpulent. Those who 
knew him the best had the most unbounded confidence in him. 
His marriage to a widow with a living husband was unfortun- 
ate for his usefulness as a minister. His wife possessing a 
considerable amount of property in Louisiana, consisting of 
land mostly, he left Mississippi to live upon it. At that time 
it was considered very valuable. After the war he was 
broken up and his wife dying he came almost to poverty's 
door. His half-sister hearing of his great straits, and being 
old and infirm, sent for him to come to Missouri to spend the 
remainder of his life with her. He died in Missouri, October, 
1890, at an advanced a^e, beiiiLi about eighty years old. W. 
W. B. 

I. H. Anding, the 
youngest of seven 
children born to Mar- 
tin A. and Mary L. 
Anding, first saw the 
light in the south- 
western part of 
Copiah (now Lincoln) 
county, Miss., Feb- 
ruary 8, 1847. At the 
' 'early age of seven the 
father died leaving the 
lad to the tender care 
of a Christian mother. 
After the lapse of for- 
ty years the words 




ISAAC HAM ANDING. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 25 

spoken to the boy by his mother, "Son, your father is dead," 
are as fresh as though spoken yesterday. The public spirit 
of the father was manifested in the interest he took in the 
poor of the community and in education and religion. He 
contributed liberally to the endowment of the Baptist College 
at Clinton, Miss., and aided Presbyterian friends by a volun- 
tary gift of land on which they built a church. The words 
inscribed on his tombstone, "He lived and died a Christian," 
have been a comfort and incentive to the son during the pass- 
ing years. 

Among the pleasant recollections of his boyhood are those 
associated with the memory of his mother. She too was a 
Christian, and the memory of mother reading the old family 
Bible has not yet grown dim, and the rides with her to the 
old church to conference meetings and to preaching, where 
the lad occupied the pew with his mother and listened to the 
earnest words of the dear old minister — "Uncle Billie Mul- 
lins," as he was familiarly called — are still fragrant in memory. 

The advantages of a first-class school were enjoyed up to 
the age of fourteen, when the devastating tide of civil war 
swept over the land, when school work was laid aside. The 
older brothers went to the tented field and the youngest was 
left for two years with mother and worked on the farm. In 
his sixteenth year he united with Providence Baptist church 
under the pastorate of Rev. S. G. Mullins, who was assisted 
in revival services by Rev. E. L. Compere. As the war- 
cloud grew darker, and boys of sixteen and old men of fifty- 
five were called upon for military service, young Anding was 
enrolled in a company of cavalry organized by Capt. John 
Cameron, of Jefferson county. The service of these new 
recruits was comparatively light, being in Southwest Missis- 
sippi and East Louisiana, at some distance from the main army 
and yet near enough the enemy to encounter them in several 
sharp engagements. The young soldier went through these 
closing years of the war without any serious frights, flights or 
fights, and was paroled near Gainesville, Ala., April, 1865. 

It was a great joy to be at home again with mother, but 



26 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

some months before a great grief had entered home. A dear 
brother, who enlisted at the first sound of war, came not back 
again. Instead came the news that he had fallen in the battle 
of Weldon Junction, near Petersburg, Va., August 21, 1864. 
The country seemed "broken up," and everywhere could 
be seen the desolations of war. Schools and colleges had 
suspended, and it was necessary for returned soldiers to work 
on the farms, for servants were scattered and gone and the 
"quarters" were empty. With the coveted education out of 
sight, and other members of the family in homes of their own, 
it was decided by young Anding that a union of hearts between 
himself and the girl who stood at the head in his classes would 
be the most desirable thing to have consummated. Conse- 
quently on December 20, 1866, he was married to Miss Louisa 
J. Allred. These were years of hard experience and without 
the blessed companionship of this noble woman he felt that 
they might have been far different from what they were upon 
the results of to-day. 

In 1870 the Philadelphia church near Casey ville, where 
he had moved his membership, saw proper t<> encourage "the 
gift that was in him." The thought that he must preach the 
gospel with but little education was a source of trouble and 
embarrassment to him. 

His ordination was called for by Philadelphia church, in 
1872, at which time he was also invited to supply the pulpit 
of that church. In the summer of this year, 1872, he was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry. The presbytery 
were Revs. Solomon Buff kin and Charles M. Gordon. The 
sermon was preached from 1 Tim. 4:16, by Rev. Solomon 
Buff kin. 

One day while engaged in farm work the agent of Mis- 
sissippi College called at his home. This was Rev. A. A. 
Lomax, who was commissioned to canvass the State in the 
interest of the college, not only to raise money for its support, 
but also to look up students and especially young brethren 
who felt called to the ministry and who desired a collegiate 
education. The evening spent with this brother was delight- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 27 

ful and profitable. It has often since been thought of "as the 
pebble in the streamlet scant," for no doubt it had much to do 
in changing the current of his life. A decision was reached. 
His beloved mother had gone to her reward. To re-enter 
student life it was only necessary to adjust some business 
affairs and then "break up" in his "humble home," as he 
styled it, and leave the house, built by his own hands, to 
other occupants. This done, he entered Mississippi College, 
and in June, 1877, graduated with the honors of his class in 
the A. B. course. During his college course a dark shadow 
fell athwart his life. The wife of his youth, who had braved 
its hardships with him, was called up higher February 17, 
1875, leaving three children, Leland, Ida and Sheldon. 

On December 25, 1877, he was again married. The 
little woman who filled the void in his heart and home was 
Mary "Jennie" Ellis, daughter of Hon. George W. Ellis, of 
Copiah county, Miss. For a little more than twelve years 
she brought a sound judgment, a warm heart and great force 
of character, as invaluable aids to her husband's work. 
February 7, 1891, she too was called from his side to the 
future reward, leaving two children with the sorrowing hus- 
band, Beulah and Claude. 

In 1882 and 1883 some time was spent in the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. During all the 
years following his graduation his time was given to preach- 
ing except the parts of two sessions spent in the seminary. 
Some of the largest country churches received his pastoral 
care, among them Bethany and Hebron of Lawrence county. 
He succeeded at the former Rev. Norvell Robertson, who had 
been pastor forty-four years, and was present to make the 
address at the unveiling of the monument of the old pastor. 

While in North Mississippi he was pastor of Union church, 
in Tippah county, Cherry Creek, in Pontotoc, and Corinth, 
the county seat of Alcorn county. In the years 1884 and 
1885 he was Financial Secretary of Mississippi College. The 
failing health of his wife at this time made it necessary for 
him to take a more retired work. He therefore located at 



28 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Gallman, Copiah county. To this and adjacent churches he 
preached for six years. After the death of his wife he was 
called to the pastorate of the Crystal Springs church. He is now 
(1884) in the fourth year of his work in this beautiful little 
city of fifteen hundred people, in charge of a church that 
numbers two hundred and thirty members, and that has in 
its ranks godly men and faithful women not a few. The 
pastor using substantially the words of Dr. Cuyler can say 
that, "One of the crowning mercies of the ministry is this, that 
one Sunday morning just before the time for watering the Hock a 
goodlier vision than a Rebecca appeared at the well's mouth." 
It was a Mary-*-Mary Hyland — and since the 12th of March, 
1893, the sunshine of her presence has not departed from the 
pathway of his life. May his labors be such that in after 
years he may look towards this pleasant pastorate, as he 
feels he can do towards all where he has ministered, and 
claim the truest, bravest and best of God's servants as his 
warmest friends, and enjoy too the rapturous thought that 
some, yea, many, souls were led by him lovingly to Christ, 
the sinner's Friend. Such is the hearty prayer as well as 
the cherished hope of his friend who writes these pages. 

Joseph S. Antley. The Harmony Baptist Association, 
in 1870, say through a committee: 

"WHEREAS, In the dispensation of an All wise Providence, 
our venerable and much esteemed brother, JOSEPH S. ANT- 
LEV, has been removed from among us by death since our last 
meeting, a notice of which appeared in The Baptest of June 
18, 1870; therefore, 

"Resolved (1) That in the death of Brother Antley this 
association has lost an able and efficient minister of the gospel, 
a bold and faithful defender of the truth, the state a good citi- 
zen, his family an indulgent husband and father; (2) That 
this Association tender to the bereaved family our sincere con- 
dolence and sympathy, praying the blessing ofGod upon 
them, and that, 'He may be a husband to the widow and a 
father to the orphans.' " J. M. PEARSON, for committe. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 29 

John Armstrong. It is much to be regretted that the 
material concerning the life and work of this great and good 
man is so meager. 

"John Armstrong was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Novem- 
ber, 1798. He graduated at Columbian College, D. C, in 
1825. Some time after he moved to North Carolina, and was 
for five years pastor of the Newberne Baptist church. He 
became a professor in Wake Forest College in 1835, and for a 
time acted as agent of the college. He went to Europe in 
1837, and spent two years in France and Italy preparing him- 
self the better to discharge his duties as teacher. He had as 
his companions in his voyage Dr. Edward Robinson, the au- 
thor of 'Bibical Researches in Palestine,' and J. J. Audubon, 
the great naturalist. In 1841 Mr. Armstrong accepted the 
pastorate of the Baptist church in Columbus, Miss., where he 
married a lady of fortune. He died in 1844. He is said to 
have been a fine scholar, a blameless Christian gentleman, 
and an able and eloquent preacher." — Baptist Encyclopeadia, 
p. 41. 

In the History of Columbus Association, page 74, we read: 
"At the instance of Rev. John Armstrong, at the October 
session, 1840, it was resolved 'that it is the duty of this asso- 
ciation to sustain a missionary within its own limits, whose 
business shall be to supply destitute neighborhoods with 
preaching and to assist in the building up of feeble 
churches.' " 

During his short pastorate in Columbus, which was ter- 
minated by his death, he was a leading spirit in the councils 
of the association and state convention, and was widely hon-' 
ored and esteemed in his home in the beautiful city on the 
banks of the Tombigbee. For a number of years his widow 
lived in her home in Columbus and his name is still honored 
there in the work of the "Armstrong Sunbeams." 

He "was a man of great ability and large attainments, as 
is seen from his obituary in the minutes of 1845, and was the 
leading spirit in the missionary work of this body. The fol- 
lowing eulogy is pronounced upon him by one of his members, 



30 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Maj. T. G. Blewett, who knew him well: 'He was a dis- 
tinguished teacher of youth, in places of high importance, 
pastor of Columbus church, the moderator of this association, 
a bold defender of the faith, affable, courteous, kind and just 
in all his intercourse with his fellow men.' " — History of 
Columbus Association , page iij. 

J. L. Arnold was born in Spartanburg county, S. C, on 
the 24th of November, 1850. His parents were members of 
a Baptist church. His grandparents on both sides were 
Baptists; and as far back as friends can trace the line his 
ancestors were Baptists. His religious training was therefore 
strictly Baptistic. He was inclined from boyhood to princi- 
ples of strict morality. His opportunities for acquiring an 
education were very meager, yet when about five years of 
age he entered school and attended during three terms of 
eight months each. After he became large enough to be of 
service on the farm his father, needing his service, was obliged 
to have him work on the farm. At the age of thirteen he 
he was left fatherless by the death of his father in the Con- 
federate service. This further restricted his opportunities for 
going to school. 

In 1867 his mother settled in Choctaw (now Webster) 
county, Miss. On the fifth Sunday in August, 1868, he 
made a public profession of religion, joined the Mount Pleas- 
ant Baptist church and was baptized by Rev. G. L. Jennings, 
of which church he has ever since been a member. Growing 
to manhood he went to school two months to Rev. G. L 
. Jennings and two months to Mr. T. N. Ross. The care of 
his mother and younger brothers prevented his attending 
school further, but having a thirst for knowledge he acquired 
much valuable information. He read many good books. 
Being fond of music he studied it as a science, and for sev- 
eral years taught it at such seasons of the year as students 
could best attend. This brought him before the public as an 
instructor, and his lectures on music and the sentiments of 
the poems which he sang, his manifest desire that his pupils 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 31 

should use the service of song as a worship, his zeal for the 
prosperity of the cause of Christ, and the readiness and abil- 
ity with which he discharged the duties assigned him by his 
church, led his brethren to discern his gift, and, in June, 1888, 
he was licensed to exercise it in public. This soon developed 
the fact that the Lord had laid on him the duty of preaching 
the gospel. 

On the first Sunday in September, 1889, he was ordained 
to the full work of the gospel ministry. The Zion Association 
was in session at Mount Pleasant church at that time and the 
presbytery was composed of all the ministers in attendance. 
His fields of labor have been in his own and adjacent counties. 
For many years he has been afflicted with a periodic ner- 
vous headache, which hinders him a great deal in his studies 
and in the discharge of his ministerial duties. He refuses to 
take a full work; yet the calls are more than he could supply 
if his physical ability were good. 

His improvement in the ministry has been very satisfac- 
tory to his people, and his success as a pastor has been good. 
The ingatherings have not been so great under his ministry 
as under the ministry of some others, his gift not being so 
much that of a revivalist as a plain practical teacher. 

Friedrich Diedrich Baars was born in Hamburg, Ger- 
many, July 29, 1859. He was a student in Mississippi Col- 
lege from 1 88 1 to 1883. After completing his collegiate course 
he took a course in the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. 
Feeling called to preach the gospel he spent one session in the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1883 and 1884 (Oc- 
tober to June). He was ordained at Sandersville, Miss., 
October, 1885. In 1885 and 1886 he was pastor of the 
churches at Quitman and DeSoto. During the years 1886 
and 1887 he was state evangelist of the General Association 
of Mississippi. Besides his pastorate of the churches at Quit- 
man and DeSoto he was, in 1885 and 1886, principal of the 
Sandersville Academy. In 1887 and 1888 he was pastor of 
the churches at Columbia and Monticello, Miss. He became 



32 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHED. 

musical director in Blue Mountain Female College in 188S and 
continued in that position for several terms. He went from 
Blue Mountain to Arkadelphia, Ark., where he is now (1894) 
musical director in a large institution in that city. 

Thomas Jefferson 
Bailey was born in 
Holmes county, Miss., 
seven miles northwest 
of Durant, November 
26, 1853. His parents 
were Albert and Eliza 
J. Bailey. Albert Bai- 
ley was born in Lown- 
des county, Ala., on 
September 24, 1824. 
Before he was grown 
he came to Mississippi 
with an uncle of his, 
John P. Rodgers. Eli- 
THO.MAS JEFFERSON BAILEY. za J. Bailey was a 
daughter of J. D. and Elizabeth Siddon, two of the early 
settlers of Homes county; and was born July 21, 1831. 
Albert Bailey and Eliza J. Siddon were married December 22, 
1852, by Esquire Goober. They settled on a little farm where 
they lived happily and prosperously until the late war, when 
he enlisted for the struggle in Wofford's heavy artillery, serv- 
ing until the fall of 1864, when, from exposure, he sickened 
and died far away from home, leaving his wife and four chil- 
dren; Thomas J., John A., Frances L., and Sarah E., of 
whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest. Soon after the 
death of the father, the war closed, leaving our once beautiful 
and happy South-land in poverty, devastation and demoral- 
ization. Thomas, though a boy of twelve summers, was left 
at this early age with the responsibility of a family upon 
him. Having not even a horse nor a single dollar, his mother 
placed him and his only brother in charge of her father for 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 33 

instruction in practical farming. After one year's training 
the boys and mother also thought they were equal to the task 
of pitching, cultivating and gathering a crop of their own on 
their little farm. So, under the direction of the mother with 
occasional advice from the grandfather, young Bailey, at the 
age of thirteen, with the help of the younger brother and 
mother made his first crop. The success of the first year 
encouraged a continuation of farm work under similar arrange- 
ments. So, both because of his success and because neces- 
sity was upon him to care for the mother and two young 
sisters, he labored diligently on the farm till he was twenty 
years old. During his childhood and boyhood days in the 
midst of constant labor on the farm, he found it practicable to 
spend only a few weeks in school each year, generally in the 
summer months. He was ambitious in every direction, but 
especially in pursuit of knowledge. It was the pride of his 
boyish heart to excel in everything undertaken. He never 
received a whipping in school in his life, and was tenderly 
attached to every teacher whose instructions he enjoyed. In 
these country schools he obtained a very imperfect rudiment- 
ary education. He always distinguished himself in mathe- 
matics, that being his favorite study while a boy. He is a 
strong friend of the poor, needy and weak. He never had a 
difficulty in school except to take the part of the poor and 
weak when imposed upon by others. 

In August, 1867, under the ministry of Rev. T. S. 
Wright, he was converted and joined the Pleasant Ridge Bap- 
tist church, Holmes county, Miss., being only fourteen years 
of age. He began at once to take active part in religious 
work, conducting prayer meetings and attending all religious 
meetings in reach. Two years later he became Sunday 
school superintendent in his church, began to attend district 
meetings, etc. Before he was twenty he had written several 
essays for district meetings and Sunday school conventions; 
also several newspaper articles, the first one appearing in the 
Mississippi department of The Baptist under the editorial 
management of the late M. P. Lowrey, D. D. 



34 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

He was licensed to preach the gospel on Saturday before 
the first Sunday in December, 1873; and ordained April 29, 
1876, by a counsel composed of Revs. H. W. Portwood, T. S. 
Wright, J. A. Linder, and A. V. Rowe. Being licensed and 
ordained by the Pleasant Ridge church, it became also his 
first charge. 

At the opening of the session of 1875-1876 he entered 
Mississippi College. Notwithstanding he had the care of his 
mother, one sister and an invalid brother, who lingered for 
some three years and expired in the triumphs of the Christian 
faith, he made fair progress in his studies, gaining the con- 
fidence and esteem of his fellow students and instructors. In 
addition to an English course, he took Latin and Greek, 
which latter two studie s he is yet very fond of. Though now 
pastor of the largest church in the Yazoo Association, and 
editor of the Baptist Layman, he yet finds time from his 
many duties to devote to the study of classic Latin and Greek, 
and especially the New Testament Greek. Upon leaving 
college, in June, 1879, he took the principalship of the Good- 
man High School, entering at once into school room work. 
On July 13, 1879, two miles east of Durant, Miss., he was 
married to Miss Emma Moseley, Rev. T. S. Wright officiating. 
Mrs. Bailey is the only daughter of Lewis E. and C. M. 
Moseley, who now live on their beautiful orange and lemon 
grove at Hudson, Fla. She is a grand-daughter of the late 
Rev. Wm. Moseley, of Ga., who for many successive years 
was a member of the Georgia legislature. She was edudated 
in part in the Central Female Institute (now Hillman Col- 
lege), Clinton, Miss. She is a woman of fine sensibilities, 
industrious, economical, and very fond of reading. Six 
children are the fruit of this union, three girls and three boys, 
all robust, bright, intelligent children. After Mr. Bailey's lo- 
cation at Goodman, as principal of the school, very soon 
churches in reach called him to serve them. Among these 
were First Macedonia, Harland's Creek, Stump Bridge, Mt. 
Vernon and Ebenezer. Later he was called to the pastorate 
of the Goodman church as successor to Rev. A. V. Rowe. In 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 35 

1883, he, with the aid of Revs. T. S. Wright and A. Taylor, 
organized a Baptist church at Pickens, Miss., which at once 
called him to its pastorate, which he accepted and holds until 
January, 1895. This church under his faithful preaching and 
pastoral labors has grown in one decade from nine in number 
to fifty-six. Ebenezer has done as well. Goodman, Eben- 
ezer, Pickens and West constituted his field of labor for more 
than a decade. At the close of 1893, being recalled to all his 
old churches and to several new fields also, he decided to 
change his work in part, retaining Goodman and Pickens and 
taking Winona for the other half of his time. Being called 
for all his time to the Winona church, he enters upon the 
work January 1, 1895. He had been clerk of the old Yazoo 
Association from 1876 to 1893. Resigning this position, he 
was immediately elected moderator of the body. Again at 
the session in 1894 he was unanimously re-elected to the 
same place, serving with efficiency. For several years he 
has been a member of the Convention Board of the Missis- 
sippi Baptist Convention, and most of the time Secretary of 
the Board. During his connection with the Board he has 
missed only two meetings. 

He is also Statistical Secretary of the Mississippi Baptist 
Convention, in which capacity he is painstaking and accurate 
in his work. He has written a small tract on "The Modern 
Dance," which has had a quick sale, the first edition of 2,000 
copies having been exhausted in less than twelve months' 
time. He is under appointment by Yazoo Association to 
write a full history of that body. The work is in prepara- 
tion, and will soon be published. He is now (October, 1894) 
pastor of the Winona church, and is under engagement to 
give his whole time from January, 1895, heretofore giving 
only one-half of his time to this church. 

W. H. Bailey. The subject of this sketch was born in 
Lawrence county of this State in 18 16. His father, Rev. 
James Bailey, was one of the old pioneer Baptist ministers of 
his county (Lawrence) and a practicing physician. Rev. W, 



3 6 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 




W. H. BAILEY. 



H. Bailey moved with his 
father from Lawrence to Co- 
piah county when about 
grown. At about the age of 
twenty-one he was married 
to Miss Emily Davis who 
was a devoted Christian la- 
dy and to him a faithful com- 
panion. Shortly after his 
marriage he was converted 
and on January i, 1838, was 
baptized by his father into 
the fellowship of New Provi- 
dence Baptist church, Copiah 
county. July 18, 1852, he 
was ordained to the full work 
of the ministry, while a member of New Providence church. 
From the time of his ordination, and even before, up to within 
a few years past, he was actively entailed in the work of the 
ministry in the service of the Master. He has served as pastor 
fifteen churches in the counties of Copiah, Franklin, Amite, 
Lincoln and Lawrence. Some of these churches he served 
for a considerable period of time. He did a good work in his 
field. Full of the Holy Spirit he preached with an earnest- 
ness and zeal that was irresistable. He gathered converts by 
the scores wherever he went, and hundreds were baptized 
into the churches to which he preached. 

His education in the schools was very limited, but he 
procured good books and studied them. He took the best 
religious papers and magazines and read them constantly as 
well as the secular papers. In this way he kept abreast with 
the onward movement of affairs. He is now (1894) seventy- 
eight years of age and is not able to serve churches in the 
pastorate; yet he still reads the papers and is keenly alive to 
every interest of the Master's kingdom. He rejoices to 
know that the Lord has raised up a host of strong young men 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



37 



to carry on the work that he and those who labored along 
with him now lay down. 

His first wife died ten years ago. He afterwards married 
Miss Martha Jones, an excellent Christian lady, who is now 
his faithful and devoted companion. He has a competency of 
worldly goods and is in easy circumstances financially. Rev. 
E. P. Douglass, who contributes these facts, says: "\ have 
the honor of being his pastor. He is a regular attendant at 
his church meetings and is a great help to his pastor. I often 
visit his pleasant home and spend many profitable hours with 
him and his companion. I shall miss him when he goes. He 
has only three children living, two daughters and one son. 
They are all Christians, are married and succeeding well in 
life." 



Alonzo C. Ball, son of B. 

T. and S. D. Ball, was born in 
Chickasaw county, July 19, 
1865. 1° boyhood he spent 
four years in school and the 
remainder of his boy life in 
farm work. The training of a 
Christian mother made a last- 
ing impression upon him for 
good. At the age of fifteen he 
made a profession of religion 
in a revival meeting at Pleas- 
ant Grove Baptist church, 
Chickasaw county, held by 
the pastor, Rev. James Fox, 
assisted by Rev. R. W. 
ALONZO C. BALL. Thompson. After two years 

of prayer and study of the Bible he offered himself for mem- 
bership in a Baptist church, and was received and baptized 
by Rev. S. M. Cole, the consecrated and useful pastor. He 
says he felt then that he had obeyed the command of Scrip- 




38 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ture to "be baptized," which in English, properly translated, 
is "be immersed." 

From the time of his conversion he often had impressions 
of duty to preach the gospel. These impressions deepened 
until he felt, "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel." At the 
age of eighteen he entered the State Springs Academy and 
studied five months with the view of preaching the gospel. 
In August, 1882, the Pleasant Grove church formally licensed 
him to preach, Rev. E. E. Thornton being pastor of the 
church. 

Securing the consent of his father to complete his educa- 
tion, that he might *be better prepared for his great work, he 
borrowed money to pay his tuition and worked some each 
day to pay his board. Leaving school he worked on the farm 
and studied at intervals, and with the proceeds of his labor 
paid back the borrowed money, and in September, 1885, he 
entered Mississippi College. At the time of his entrance into 
college he had only twelve dollars, and it was therefore 
necessary for him to go on the cheapest basis. He bought 
his books, joined the "frying-pan brigade" in Nelson Cottage, 
and by hard toil kept up all his studies. These were days of 
sacrifice, and all the way it was a "hard pull." He received 
encouragement and sympathy from Dr. Webb and other 
friends, and left the hard places behind him and "pulled 
through." In the hardest places God would in some way 
send help. 

During the summer of 1886 he served as colporteur for 
Zion Association in the employ of the State Board jointly with 
the American Baptist Publication Society. In this work he 
was successful and saw many souls led to Christ, and, besides, 
his pay enabled him to return to college. He feels much 
indebted to Dr. J. B. Gambrell for sympathy and help in this 
work. He returned to college in the fall of 1886 and spent 
another session of rough sailing and hard but successful work. 
Upon the recommendation of Dr. Webb, he and M. K. 
Thornton were employed during the next summer as mis- 
sionaries of an association in Arkansas. On July 11, 1887, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 39 

the Pleasant Grove church, Chickasaw county, having 
requested it, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry 
in that, his home church. Revs. T. H. Wilson, A. B. Hicks, 
C. A. Hicks and B. R. Hughey were the ordaining presby- 
tery. He then began his missionary work in Arkansas, which 
was highly satisfactory to the association by which he and 
Rev. Mr. Thornton were employed. They reported fifty-four 
baptisms, one hundred and six conversions and restorations, 
six protracted meetings and two churches organized. This 
work was warmly commended at the meeting of the associa- 
tion by the moderator, Maj. S. H. King, by Dr. M. D. Early, 
State missionary, and Rev. W. H, Forbes, editor of the 
Arkansas Baptist. Free tuition for the next session was 
offered him in Ouachita College, which he declined; but 
accepted a position as teacher in a good school in Phillips 
county, Ark. 

During the next summer the same Association, the Mt. 
Vernon, in Arkansas, employed Mr. Ball, with Mr. N. H. 
Thompson, also from Mississippi, as missionaries. They 
travelled seven hundred miles, preached one hundred times 
and baptized thirty persons, and their work was most satis- 
factory. Two more sessions — 1888- 1889 and 1889-1890 — 
were partly spent in Mississippi College, he being compelled 
to leave during the latter term on account of poor health. 
About this time (1890) he was employed for six months as 
colporteur of the Union Association. He did some preaching 
as well as selling books and distributing tracts. He also 
secured the organization of two churches, which soon had 
houses built and pastors employed. 

He began a pastorate, January, 1891, with the Buena 
Vista, New Salem, Providence and Hebron churches, in and 
near Chickasaw county which continued until November, 
1892; when the churches gave him a vacation to attend the 
Theological Seminary, where he spent the session of 1892- 
1893, returning to his churches in June, 1893. In this, his 
first pastorate, continuing two years and seven months, he 
has received about two hundred and fifty members into the 



40 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS, 

churches, one hundred and forty-nine of whom he "buried 
with Christ in baptism." He is a member of the Executive 
Board of the Aberdeen Association, and was elected its mod- 
erator in October, 1893. 1" November, 1893, he applied to 
the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Conven- 
tion to be sent as a missionary to Japan. He is now (1894) 
pastor of the Houston church, for one-half time, and of Bethel 
and New Prospect churches, Monroe county. May God s 
benediction rest upon him. He begs that all who may read 
of his work offer earnest and special prayer for him and his 
work. 

Lewis Ball. This beloved man of God is one of the 
noblemen of the Baptist ministry of Mississippi. He is one 
of the patriarchs, whom every one delights to honor. But, 
although his work has been so valuable in the State, and has 
extended over so long a period of its history, he has not yet 
consented to furnish the data necessary in the preparation of 
a sketch of his life and work. His life has been one of activ- 
ity and great usefulness. 

Cathcart. in his Baptist Encyclopedm, page 65, says of 
him- "Rev. Lewis Ball, an active and efficient minister in 
Northwest Mississippi, was born in South Carolina in 1820, 
came to Mississippi and began to preach in 1844. H* abund- 
ant labors have greatly advanced the cause of truth^ By his 
labors the Sunflower Association was established. He was a 
colonel in the Confederate army." 

The first time the writer ever saw this man of God was 
at a revival meeting in the Starkville Baptist church in he 
summer of the first or second year after the close of the Civil 
War. This meeting was conducted by himself and Rev M. 
P Lowrey, of blessed memory. To an .mmature Christian 
the preaching seemed to be excellent and of a character to 
awaken the unconverted. But to the surprise and grief of 
both of these men of God there was no movement of the un- 
converted. It was discovered near the close of the meetings 
that there were troubles in the church. Mr. Ball, in one of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 41 

his talks, before a large congregation said: ''We have had 
our guns trained in the wrong direction during the past few 
days. We have had them trained upon the unconverted, 
whereas they should have been trained upon the members of 
this church; for there is where some shooting needs to be done. 
Brethren and sisters you are responsible for the failure of 
these services to reach sinners." 

For a number of years his labors were given to churches 
in the northern part of the State. He was always instru- 
mental in bringing large numbers of converts into the 
churches. This seemed to be his special work. He himself 
says that he did not give sufficient attention to the training of 
his members. He says: "My plan has been too much that 
of running after the sinner, and persuading and instructing 
him until I induce him to accept Christ. I would then take 
him down into the water, 'bury him with Christ in baptism,' 
bring him up out of the water, and leave him on the creek 
bank while I ran off after other sinners." This statement he 
once made to the writer. 

In about 1881 or 1882 he became the missionary of the 
State Mission Board to supervise all missionary work in 
the rich Delta country, which then began to attract the notice 
of Mississippi Baptists by reason of its fertility and destitu- 
tion. While his family lived in Blue Mountain he traveled 
over the territory now covered by the Sunflower and Deer 
Creek Associations on horse back and in "dug-outs" and 
preached the gospel in school houses, under forest trees, in 
private houses, around the fireside, wherever he could find 
any one hungry for the "Bread of Life" or any starving sheep 
of the Lord who needed to be fed. The people of that sec- 
tion all loved and honored Evangelist Ball because they had 
confidence in his piety and his desire to do them good. His 
memory is fragrant to-day all through the Yazoo and Missis- 
sippi Delta. Many Christians were helped on their way, 
many churches were strengthened or organized, and many 
souls reclaimed by his labors in the Delta. But his work was 



42 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

pioneer work. He "blazed out" the way for the present 
labor in this fertile country. 

In 1883, after the retirement of Rev. T. J. Walne from 
the secretaryship of the State Mission Board, the Board, after 
casting about for a successor, finally selected Evangelist Ball 
for the place. As a missionary of the Board he had said in a 
speech before the convention in Sardis, in 1882: "The Missis- 
sippi Bottom must have the gospel if missionaries have to be 
buried there," That sort of a spirit and consecration fitted 
him to be the leader of the mission forces in the State. Inas- 
much as he would not consent to move to Oxford, where the 
State Board was located, a good brother was recommended to 
the Convention of 1884, in Kosciusko, who would consent to 
move to Oxford. The name of Lewis Ball was replaced by 
an overwhelming vote of the Convention. He rode all over 
the State, visiting numbers of country churches on horseback, 
endeavoring to reach and enlist all the churches as far as pos- 
sible. In this way he visited a church of which the writer 
was pastor in Jefferson county. He was greeted by a fair 
week-day congregation. He captured all who heard him. In 
the course of his sermon he illustrated Paul's expression in 
Rom, 8, "More than conquerors." "During the Civil war we 
had a tiff with the Federals at Missionary Ridge. They 
routed our lines and forced us to retreat. They captured one 
of our batteries and turned it on us, and I never knew cannon 
to fire as rapidly in my life. A strange place that to study 
theology, but here was an explanation of my text, 'more than 
conquerors.' I had thought that to be conquerors was suffi- 
cient, but I saw then that to be more than conquerors, and 
turn the enemies' guns on them is far better." 

In 1885, Rev. J. B. Gambrell was made temporary secre- 
tary of the State Board as Secretary Ball insisted on giving it 
up. During the next year he gave himself to revival meet- 
ings, and in the beginning of 1887 he was employed to work 
among the colored people. His plan of work among them was 
to endeavor to reach as many as possible of the colored 
preachers. He conducted the institutes and secured the ear 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 43 

of as many of the preachers as possible. He did a very val- 
uable work for this people in this way for several years, 
when the difficulties environing the work led him to give it. 
For several years past he has been living in Clinton in 
his own home, and giving his ministerial labors to adjacent 
churches for such remuneration as they can give. For a 
while, within the last few years he was pastor of the Clinton 
church. He is doing some of his best preaching in his last 
days, drawing upon a long experience and study of the Bible, 
in which he has been taught of the Spirit of God. The ''out- 
ward man" is growing weaker, but the "inner man" is being 
renewed day by day. He is lingering in the mellow tints of 
the sunset of a pious life. One anecdote: Once while Father 
Ball was secretary of State missions. he had an appointment 
with the Macon church. The pastor had to be from home at 
the time of the arrival of the train. He said to his oldest son: 
"Son, you must go to the train and meet brother Ball and 
bring him home, as 1 cannot be at the train," "But, papa, I 
do not know brother Ball; how can I meet him and bring him 
home?" The father said, "You go and wait for a man who 
looks like Moses, and bring him with you. That will be 
brother Ball." He went to the train and found the right 
man without any trouble. 

riartin Ball was born in Laurens district (now county) 
South Carolina, in the year 1808. He was the son of a 
farmer and remained with him until he reached his majority. 
Soon after that period he married and continued to farm. 
The writer does not know in what year he professed faith 
in Christ; though not many years later, yet long enough to be 
very much inclined to accept the universal plan of salvation. 
A circumstance occurred, however, that convinced him of the 
fallacy of the doctrine. He was called to stand by the bed side 
of the man by whose teaching and books, papers and periodicals 
he had been influenced to accept the doctrine. The man 
was in a dying condition. With Martin Ball stood his 
father also with his fingers on the pulse of the dying man, 



44 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



£ 




MARTIN BALL. 



who looked up into his 
face and said: "Friend 
Ball, what do you think 
of my case?" He replied, 
"You will soon be in 
eternity.'' He called for 
his wife and bade her 
farewell, saying to her: 
"We part, not for time 
only, but for all eternity; 
for I see the very flames 
of hell in which I am to 
descend," Martin Ball 
abandoned the doctrine 
and soon after became a 
Christian and united 
with the church in the 
community called Beth- 
abara. He soon manifested a great zeal for the cause of 
Christ, and was soon given liberty to exercise his gift in the 
bounds of his church. It soon became evident to the church 
that his field should be enlarged, and permission was given 
him to exercise it in the bounds of the association. After his 
gifts had been well tested a council was called from churches 
and a presbytery chosen, and he and his cousin, William Hitt, 
were ordained at the same time. The writer does not remem- 
ber the names of all of the presbytery. Rev. Joseph Babb 
was pastor at the time. He and Hosea Garrett are all that 
are remembered. Martin Ball and his cousin above named 
were called to serve the church jointly. His time was soon 
all engaged, that is, the Saturdays and Sundays. He was a 
power among the churches; was instrumental in many con- 
versions and • aptized many. 

In the spring of 1845 ne moved to Pontotoc county, Mis- 
sissippi; and united with Cherry Creek church, Chickasaw 
Association. The following year he was called to the care 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 45 

of that church, Rev, James Boswell declining to serve longer. 
His time was all engaged as soon as he was known by the 
churches. These he continued to serve until he was chosen 
missionary in the bounds of the association. His zeal, success 
in winning souls to Christ, in building up weak churches, 
organizing new ones and in collecting money to carry on the 
'work, caused him to be in great demand; and when a man was 
wanted by the Board of Home and Foreign Missions to repre- 
sent that work all eyes seemed to turn to him. He was ap- 
pointed agent for that Board and did a very satisfactory work. 
Thus was he not only full of work but of good works, in serv- 
ing churches, serving the association both as missionary and 
moderator and the board as agent. 

Now as to the man. In the first place, he was without 
education, having gone to school only a few months. He was 
a man of wonderful magnetism. The people wanted to get 
close to him. He was remarkable for making acquaintances 
with rapidity in a strange congregation and remembering 
them. The Bible speaks of a gift to discern spirits. The 
writer would say, if he ever saw any one who possessed that 
gift it was Rev. Martin Ball. He was never known to make 
a mistake, even when he gave his judgement on strangers. 
Another remarkable gift he had, one much to be coveted. He 
was an eminently successful peace-maker. There was a say- 
ing common among a large circle of people. It was this: If 
Rev. Martin Ball failed to effect a move in a revival meeting 
on Sunday night, which had commenced on Saturday, and fail- 
ed to make peace between parties at variance, no one else 
need try. He was never without something to say and never 
spoke without saying "something. He reared a large family. 
After his death, at the first meeting of the church, in the midst 
of much lamentation and, evidences of much grief and many 
expressions of sympathy for the bereaved wife and children, 
a brother, John B. Herring, arose in the church conference 
and said: "I move that special prayer be made that his 
mantle fall on one of his children or some one else of 
God's choice. A second came from many voices. Brother 



4 6 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Herring was asked to lead in the prayer. He prayed as 
though he felt that God was near as a prayer-answering God. 
Many a hearty sanction went up through flowing tears and 
heavy sighs. To day his youngest son, who was then a 
small boy", is proclaiming with great power the gospel, which 
God has promised to make his power to the salvation of 
those who believe. And during this year (1894) his son a 
a grandson of Rev. Martin Ball, was ordained to preach the 
same gospel at seventeen years of age. So let us hope the 
prayer is being doubly answered. 

In 1857 Rev. Mr. Ball's health began to decline, as was 
manifest by his loss of flesh, he being a corpulent man. His 
physician tried to prevail on him to desist from preaching, 
stating to him that there was an internal cause for this decline. 
He persisted, and said he must go while he could, that he was 
in the Master's work and subject to the Master's will. He 
continued until the fall of 1859. On the tour next to the last 
he was unable to fill all of his appointments. Away from 
home he remained until barely able to travel and went home 
on horseback, his mode of traveling. His wife and children 
begged him not to undertake any more work. He replied that 
his appointments were out and the people would be disap- 
pointed and the good work would suffer and that he must work 
while he could. O, how like the spirit of the Master! '/I 
must work to-day and to-morrow and the third day 1 shall be 
perfected." So he went on until he reached Aberdeen. 
While quite unwell he preached his last sermon, and started 
to his cousin Burwell Ball's house, which was seventeen miles 
away and it required all day for him to make the trip. He 
lingered there in sickness about two weeks, hopeful of 
recovery until near the last. He sent for his wife and such 
of his children as could go, and also for his brother. Those 
who went reached him twenty-four hours before his death. 
He was cheerful and conscious well nigh to the last. He died 
sixty miles from his earthly home, after living a Christian 
life and dying the death of a soldier of the cross with full 
armor on, and thus passed away from a world made better by 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 47 

his having lived in it, to that rest that remains for the people 
of God. Methinks I hear the Master say; "Well done, good 
and faithful servant," for the well doing had gone before. 
His remains rest in the grave yard at Cherry Creek church, 
awaiting the bidding of Him whom he served to come forth 
and have part in the first resurrection. — Contributed by 
Rev. L. Ball. 

Martin Lewis Ball, the subject of this sketch was born 
at Cherry Creek, Pontotoc county, Miss., September 13, 
185 1. He is the youngest son of Rev. Martin Ball, When 
quite young both of his parents died and he found his home 
with his oldest sister, Mrs. Jemima F. Berry. Two years of 
preparatory school work was had. at Verona. Under the ex- 
cellent training of Prof. R, M. Leavell he was prepared to 
enter the Sophomore class at the University of Mississippi, 
from which he graduated in 1872. He was converted under 
the preaching of Rev. Isaac Smith, at Poplar Springs church, 
Pontotoc county, and joined the church at Cherry Creek, and 
in August, 1872, was ordained by the same church to preach. 
The ordinary presbytery consisting of Revs. Jas. Boswell, 
A. B. Smith, Isaac Smith, C. C. Malone, J. T. Pitts and M. 
P. Lowrey. The last named preaching the ordination ser- 
mon. He attended the Southern Baptist Theological Semi- 
nary, at Greenville, S. C, two years, then returned to his 
native state and took charge, as pastor of the church at 
Cherry Creek, which he served for one year, May 3, 1875, 
he was married to Miss Lizzie McKay, of Greenville, S. C, 
Dr. J. B. Gambrell performing the ceremony. After spending 
several months teaching school at Cherry Creek he returned 
to South Carolina and worked for two years under the direc- 
tion of the State Board, as missionary, near the coast. This 
work resulted in the organization of three churches and build- 
ing three church houses, and the conversion of many souls. 

In 1885 he was called to the care of the church at Fay- 
etteville, Ark. After working there two years he moved to 
Jonesboro, same state. This church had never before under- 



48 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

taken to employ a pastor for all of his time and entered upon 
the work with fear and trembling. But the pastor watched 
the finances, constantly pressed upon them the mission ques- 
tion, so that at the close of three years work it was regarded 
as one of the strongest churches in the state. A Sunday 
school had been organized, and was prospering, a mission 
station founded and a good chapel built, with regular Sunday 
school and prayer meeting. He was then called to and ac- 
cepted the pastorate of the church at Fulton, Ky. The Lord 
wonderfully blessed his efforts in this field. Scores of men 
and women, boys and girls, were led to Christ by his untiring 
labors. Many successful revivals were held in adjacent 
towns and country places. In 1893 he accepted the urgent 
call of the church at Paris, Tenn., where he now lives and 
labors. The year 1894 was the most successful and prosper- 
ous of all the years of his life. He witnessed four hundred 
professions of faith and saw over three hundred added to the 
church. Three children were given to him; two boys and 
one girl. One of the boys went home to heaven when he 
was only two years old. The other boy, now eighteen years 
old, an ordained minister of the gospel, and while pursuing 
his literary studies at Jackson, Tenn., is pastor of three 
churches. His daughter, now sixteen, is quite scholarly, and 
is the first honor pupil in the old Bethel Female College, 
Hopkinsville, Ky. 

Barnwell L. Barnes "was born in Hancock county, Ga., 
December 21, 1797, united with a Baptist church October, 
1828; preached his first regular sermon in May, 1832; was 
ordained on the second Sabbath in July, 1836, by Revs. Piatt 
Stout and George F. Heard, as a pastor of a church ten miles 
west of the city of Mobile, Ala. From that time he was en- 
gaged, either as a pastor or evangelist, until he came to Mad- 
ison county. He was raised to active business habits, which 
he kept up through life. At one time he was connected with 
an extensive mercantile establishment in the city of Mobile." 
While in prosperity, he was a zealous and liberal Christian. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 49 

When he failed in business, during the period of the great 
commercial revolutions about eleven years ago, "he made a 
satisfactory arrangemement with his creditors." His wife, 
who was a lady of superior worth, having died after this tem- 
poral misfortune, Mr. Barnes took up his residence in Kemper 
county. "Early in 1843, he came to Madison county, and 
took charge of the church at Canton, and continued its pastor 
until the close of the year 1847. He was actively engaged in 
this county for nearly five years, and few men have per- 
formed more labor in the same length of time. He never 
seemed to flinch, or complain of fatigue, while able to move, 
until brought down by disease." In the latter part of 1847, 
he was attacked by pneumonia, and lingered from that time 
until the day of his death, still actively engaged in his Mas- 
ter's business whenever his health would permit. He de- 
parted this life August 15, 1848, enjoying the confidence of a 
large circle of friends, and lamented by the whole denomina- 
tion in Mississippi. At the time of his death he was one of 
the vice-presidents of the State Convention, of which he was 
at all times a consistent advocate and supporter, and he also 
held the appointment of State agent of the Southern Baptist 
Publication Society. "His piety was deep, expansive, and 
ardent. This was exemplified in his persevering labors, in 
the interest he took in every effort for the promotion of the 
cause of Christ, and in the readiness with which he was wont 
to engage in conversation on the subject of experimental 
piety." 

"Soldier of Christ, well done; 

Praise be thy new employ; 
And while eternal ages run, 

Rest in thy Savior's joy." 

— Minutes of the State Convention of 1848. 

J. E. Barnett was born in Rankin county, Mississippi, 
April 24, 1861, and spent his early life in that county, attend- 
ing the usual country schools of the day. He was converted 
and baptized into the fellowship of Cato Baptist church in 



50 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

1881. He was licensed to preach in 1882. Feeling the im- 
perative demand for a little preparation for his life work he 
entered Mississippi College in 1882 and spent five years in dil- 
igent study in that institution. In order to become better 
fitted for his special work of preaching the gospel he spent one 
year in the Biblical studies in the Southern Baptist Theolog- 
ical Seminary, Louisville, Ky. He was ordained to the full 
work of the ministry in the summer of 1888 at Cato, Miss., 
the ordaining presbytery being Revs. J. R. Johnston and R. 
W. Hall. 

He was married in the October following to Miss Annie 
Steen, of Steen's Cr^ek, Rankin county, who proves a most 
excellent minister's wife. He accepted a call to the pastorate 
of Longtown and Arkabutal churches and entered energetically 
and zealously upon his pastoral work in October, 1888. 
He has served the Longtown church since that time, six 
years, and is now (1894) the esteemed pastor there. He 
served Arkabutal church five years. He has also served 
Peach Creek church five years; Tyro church one year; and 
New Hope one year. These churches are in the Coldwater 
Association. Mr. Bamett is a young man of fine promise, is 
broadminded, liberal and progressive, earnestly advocat- 
ing and leading his churches along the lines of denominational 
benevolence. There seems to be opening out before him a 
bright future. May he be long spared to the Lord's cause 
and may the bright hopes promised in his ministry be all fully 
realized. 

John Tully Barrett, the subject of this sketch, was born 
in Atlanta county, Miss., November 18, 1855, He is a son of 
Rev. R. G. Barrett. He received his collegiate education at 
Mississippi College, taking the degree of B. S. Having com- 
pleted his education he married, in 1884, Miss Katie West, 
of Carroll county, and settled, as pastor, at Ellisville, Miss. 
Before this in 1881-82 he had been associate principal of 
Carthage High School. While pastor at Ellisville he was also 
principal of Ellisville High School from 1883 to 1886. He was 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 5 1 

ordained to the full work of the ministry at the Carthage 
church, Leake county, Miss., August 20, 1882, and was pastor 
at Midway, Leake county, in 1882. His pastorate at Ellis- 
ville was combined with pastorates at Claiborne, and Enter- 
prise and Hattiesburg, Miss., and extended from 1883 to 
1886. In 1886 he had the misfortune to lose his excellent and 
accomplished wife. Being thus left without home ties he 
resigned his pastorate and went to the Southern Baptist The- 
ological Seminary in the fall of 1886 and continued there, in 
pursuit of his theological studies until 1889, graduating in the 
entire English course. During his Seminary course he was 
pastor of Bradfordsville, Ky., June to September, 1887; at 
Waynesburg and McKinney, Ky., from September, 1887, to 
June, 1889. Leaving the Seminary he became, in 1890, the 
Corresponding Secretary of the Louisiana State Board, in 
which he continued with much success for several years. In 
his work as Corresponding Secretary he did much in the 
way of organizing the work and enlisting associations which 
had hitherto not co-operated in the Board's work. Early in 
1873 he gave up his work and returned to the pastorate. His 
present home and work is Crowley, La. 

R. Q. Barrett was born in Tuscaloosa county, Ala., in 
1834. When quite young his parents settled in Noxubee 
county, Miss., where his father engaged in the mercantile 
business. Failing in business he removed to Neshoba county, 
then a new county comparatively. Indians abounded. There 
was no refined society. Schools and houses of worship were 
almost wanting, and so the chances for an education very 
meager. Young Barrett's education consisted in what he 
could gather after he was grown, which was small he says. 
His first conviction of sin was experienced in 1849. He gave 
himself to Christ and received the hope of forgiven sin. He 
united with Mt. Nelson Baptist church and was baptized by 
Rev. I. I. Miller in 1850. 

In 1854 he felt that God had laid his hand upon him and 
that a dispensation of the gospel was committed to him to 



52 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

preach. In 1858 he was licensed by Good Hope Baptist 
church, Madison county. Being invited to the pastorate of 
several churches his ordination was arranged and in 1862 he 
was ordained to the full work of the ministry, the presbytery 
being Revs. Wm. McMurtray and Isaac Merchant. His fields 
of labor have been in Madison, Attala and Leake counties. 
He was thirty years pastor of Good Hope. He has all the 
while been pastor of four and sometimes five churches, often 
traveling thirty or forty miles through mud and water on 
horseback to reach them. He has been employed as mission- 
ary of his association, preaching in the woods and by-ways. 
His labors have been -greatly blessed in the conversion of 
souls, organizing of churches and building up of waste places. 
The largest number baptized at one time was forty-four. He 
was all alone and did all the preaching, holding three services 
per day and was well nigh exhausted when the baptismal 
service came on. The last to be baptized was a negro woman 
who came near getting both in water eight feet deep. 

He received very little compensation for all his labors. 
He always went to his appointments, exposing himself so 
much and so frequently that he contracted a throat disease 
with which he suffered for eighteen months, giving up all his 
churches during that time and being confined to his room. 
Some time before the meeting of the State Convention of 
1894, he was called from earth to heaven, his death occurring 
at Couparle City, May 23, 1894, at the good old age of sixty. 
He rests in peace. 

Joel Baskin was born in Carrol county, Miss., Septem- 
ber 23, 1S55. He remained on the farm where he was born* 
until September 20, 1874, being reared in the country until 
nineteen years of age. His early education was such as the 
country schools afforded during and immediately after the 
war of the States, the rudiments of an English education. In 
the fall of 1874 he entered Mississippi College and completed 
the full collegiate course there, graduating in June, 1879. At 
the early age of nine he had poignant convictions of sin, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 53 

brought on, he thinks, by violating the Sabbath. This convic- 
tion came and went at irregular intervals until the fall of 1873, 
when he felt that he was regenerated by the Holy Spirit. 
From that time he began to worship God in secret and to ex- 
ercise in public as occasion offered. He was received into the 
fellowship of the New Hope Baptist church, April, 1874, and 
baptized one month later. 

In the following summer he was licensed to preach. In 
September, 1878, he was ordained to the full work of the 
ministry, the ordaining council being Revs. T. S. Wright, A. 
V. Rowe, W. M. Broadway, and T. J. Bailey. Since that 
time he has been engaged in the work of the ministry, loving 
the doctrines of grace and the cause of missions. Such men 
as C. H. Spurgeon, Richard Fuller and James P. Boyce are 
his models in doctrine and preaching. 

He was married to Miss Clara S. Wise in June, 1879. 
Seven children have been born to them, six of whom live and 
the oldest has been called higher. The one who died was in 
her thirteenth year, had made a profession of religion, but had 
not been baptized. 

He has for several years lived in Clinton and given his 
pastoral labors to churches at different points. He has served 
churches in Mississippi ever since his ordination, never having 
been entirely without work. 

Isaac R. Bass, the subject of this sketch was born in 
Nash county, North Carolina, in the year 1798. At the age 
of thirty-five he immigrated with his effects to Mississippi, 
arriving sometime during 1833 and settled at what is now the 
town of Madison Station, in Madison county. By great 
energy and a fine business sense possessed by few men, 
he, in a very few years amassed a considerable for- 
tune, consisting of lands and chattels, and which, at the 
time of his death a conservative estimate would place 
at a quarter of a million dollars. Contrary to the great 
fact enunciated by the Savior, that the possession of great 
wealth and the love of Christianity seldom go hand in hand, 



54 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 




in the year 1840, surrounded 
by every charm that wealth 
and prosperity could lend, we 
find this grand anomalous man 
applying to old New Hope 
church for license to preach 
the lowly Jesus to fallen men! 
At what age he was converted 
te writer has been unable to 
ascertain; but from ten years 
from 1840 we find him admin- 
istering to the needy, leading 
in prayer meetings and preach- 
ing merely as a licentiate; till 
in May, 1850, when he was 
regularly ordained at Mount 
ISAAC R. BASS. Pisgah church in Rankin 

county, during a session of the Board of Managers of the 
Harmony Baptist Association. 

From this time on he entrusted the management of his 
vast estate to his "managers," whom he always selected with 
great care, while he went forth to proclaim the Master's 
cause and to expand the boundaries of his kingdom by orga- 
izing new churches and building up weak ones. The advan- 
tages of his labors to the denomination in Western Missis- 
sippi, just at a time when this section of the State was being 
rapidly settled and the different denominations were estab- 
lishing their churches and each contending for future ascen- 
dency, are incalculable. In addition to his work in Western 
Mississippi, he found time to do considerable mission work in 
the State of Texas. 

He was pastor of New Hope, four miles west of his home, 
from a time soon after his ordination till 1858; but the prin- 
pal field of his labors lay east of Pearl river, mainly in the 
counties of Rankin and Scott. The writer regrets that the 
limited time forbids his acquiring any thing like a full knowl- 
edge of his labors in this field. The name of only one church 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 55 

organized by him is known to the writer, viz.: Pelahatchie 
church, now Fannin, in Rankin county; though it is quite 
likely a number of others were organized by him in this 
section. 

The following story, which is well vouched for, will 
serve to show the wonderful tact of the man, as well as his 
devotion of the missionary cause: One or more of his 
churches across the Pearl were strongly anti-missionary. 
His way of managing them was as unique as it was success- 
ful. He would require of them when called as their pastor, 
a liberal subscription for pastor's salary, just as though he 
were as needy as the poorest preacher in the land, and these 
subscriptions he was very contentious to have them pay. 
But instead of appropriating them to" his own use he would 
carry them to the association and turn them into the mission 
fund. He thus made his anti-missionary churches very prac- 
tically missionary. 

While he was frugal and averse to squandering anything, 
yet his purse strings always relaxed to charity's call. On 
the occasion of a visit to old brother Antley, he found him in 
want and gave him (not loaned him) fifty dollars. He fur- 
nished brother Hamberlin funds to attend the Seminary in 
South Carolina. He gave five hundred dollars to the estab- 
lishment of Mississippi College. He contributed several hun- 
dred dollars to the establishment of the Baptist paper in 
Jackson. But the extent of his benevolence, eternity alone 
will ever reveal; for he did not his "alms to be seen of men." 
An esteemed old sister who knew him intimately and of whom 
the writer inquired about his benevolence, replied that in his 
charitable deeds he obeyed the Bible injunction, "Let not thy 
left hand know what thy right hand doeth." 

Through all his long career of usefulness he remained single 
until at the age of about sixty when he was married to Miss Mat- 
tie Bennett, an estimable lady in his own community. He lived 
to enjoy his new relations only about two years when he was 
called to his reward on December 22, 1862. Thus was extin- 
guished one of the brightest lights that ever illuminated the 



56 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Baptist cause in Western Mississippi. He left only one 
child, Ella J., an infant, now the accomplished wife of the 
Hon. R. C. Lee, the present United States District Attorney. 
—P. B. B. 

Henry W. Battle. Dr. Cullen Battle removed from 
North Carolina and became one of the wealthiest and most 
influential Baptists in Alabama. Three of his children lived 
to middle age — a daughter, the relict of Gov. John Gill 
Shorter; Dr. A. J. Battle, once President of Mercer Univer- 
sity; and Maj.-Gen. Cullen A. Battle, the father of Henry W. 
Battle. 

Henry W. Battle was born in Tuskegee, Ala., 1854. 
Having enjoyed early educational advantages of the best 
character, he was admitted to the bar at the age of nineteen, 
and practiced law at Eufala, Ala., for about four years. All 
the while he felt the conviction of duty to enter the ministry 
as he had previously become a Christian. A very flattering 
proposition from a wealthy and eminent gentleman of the 
North to engage in the practice of law in New York City 
brought the long conflict between ambition and duty to a crisis, 
which resulted in his going to the Seminary at Louisville for 
one session. After this he became pastor of the church at 
Columbus, Miss., in January, 1879, at the age of twenty-five. 
He is nearly related to Hon. Kemp P. Battle, President of the 
University of North Carolina, and a kinsman of the lamented 
William Williams, D. D., late Professor in the Southern Bap- 
tist Theological Seminary. His congregations at Columbus 
were very large, and he was at the time one of the most pop- 
ular pastors in the State. During his pastorate (in 1881) his 
church entertained the Southern Baptist Convention. One 
of his deacons at Columbus said of his preaching: "Brother 
Battle has the clearest cut mind with which I ever came in 
contact. A sentence from him means something, and it does 
not mean anything else." 

Leaving Columbus in 1881, Rev. Mr. Battle became pastor 
at Bennettsville, S. C, where he did a fine work, Leaving 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 57 

there a few years later he became pastor at Wadesboro, N. 
C, where he was also successful. For several years past he 
has been pastor of the First Baptist church, Petersburg, Va, 
He is abundant in labors, and is in the midst of a wide field of 
usefulness and success is crowning his ministry, 

I. Q. F. Baugh. Of the birth and early life of this min- 
ister of Christ we have no information. He was ordained to 
the full work of the ministry at Polkville, November, 1847, 
and his labors seem to have been confined to the Springfield 
Association. The presbytery was composed of Revs. J. D. 
Abney, J. W. Chambers, James Merchant and R. T. Gate- 
wood. He was pastor of churches in that section. 

T. A. J. Beasley was born two miles west of Ellistown 
in Union county, Miss., April 1, 1872. His father, John 
Beasley, having been killed the same year in Ellistown, he 
was consequently left an orphan from infancy. His mother 
had a large family to care for and the struggle was somewhat 
hard. At the age of twelve his mother was married to Mr. 
W. P. Dye, who also had a family of children. This com- 
bination of families resulted in his leaving his mother's home, 
the dearest place on earth. He says: "being naturally prone 
to do evil" he took to many bad habits, and continued in this 
wild career until the summer of 1889. At this time there was 
a meeting in progress at old Mount Gilead church, one of the 
oldest churches in that section of country. This meeting was 
being conducted by Rev. I. Smith. Here while listening to 
that veteran of the cross as he expounded the gospel he was 
convicted of sin, and one night during the meeting, after a 
hard struggle with sin he was made a new creature in Christ 
and converted from the error of his ways. He exclaims: 
"Oh happy time! oh sweet hour! what a thrill of joy ran 
through my soul! The burden was rolled away. I was no 
longer an orphan, an outcast, but a child of God, a brother of 
Jesus. Being desirous to work for the Master for what he had 
done for me I enlisted in the army of the Lord." 



58 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

The church discerned a gift in him and accordingly 
licensed him to exhort in the same fall, 1889, about three or 
four weeks after his conversion. Realizing the need of educa- 
tion in this great work and not having the means for securing 
it, he was distressed. He had a desire to work for the Master 
and was not prepared for the work. The matter was put 
before the West Judson Association then in session at Poplar 
Springs and to his surprise but great joy the good people of 
that place gave him six months board and he entered the 
school there. 

He says; "The first question asked me in school was 
'what is a verb?' This I could not answer, as I. did not know 
a verb from an elepha % nt at that time." But by hard study 
and close application, by going to school a while and working 
a while, within three years he had graduated with first honors 
in the A. B. course of that school. This included a tolerably 
fair knowledge of Greek, Latin, French and German, with 
corresponding branches. In the fall of 1891 his church called 
a presbytery composed of Revs. J. T. Pitts, Isaac Smith, and 
A. B. Smith, for the purpose of ordaining him to the full work 
of the ministry. Since that time he has had regular work. 
The year he took the B. S. course, in the session of 1891- 
1892, he preached to three churches, walked one thousand 
miles, and out of a class of seven boys and girls took the first 
honors. During his short ministry of three years he has done 
the following work: preached nine hundred and sixty-five 
sermons, baptized seventy-five persons, married twenty-five 
couples, preached ten funerals, assisted in the ordination of 
five deacons and three preachers. He began his ministry at 
the age of sixteen. He exclaims: "The Lord be praised for 
his wonderful goodness unto his servant." 

William Davis Bene was born in Okolona, Chickasaw 
county, Miss., October 20, 1855. While a boy he attended 
school some in his native town. He made a profession of 
religion and was baptized into the fellowship of the Baptist 
church in Okolona by Rev. W. A. Mason at the age of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 59 

fifteen. Later he was introduced by Mr. Mason to Capt. 
John Powell, of Grenada, Miss., in 1873. He had previously 
been deeply impressed that God had called him to preach his 
word. He spent two years in a High School in Grenada, 
cared for by friends mostly, as he was poor. After this he 
spent five years in the Southwestern Baptist University, 
Jackson, Tenn., leaving there in the spring of 1880. He 
then taught school at Torrance, with great satisfaction to 
people and teacher. After closing his school at Torrance he 
became pastor of the Baptist church at Graysport and 
other churches near. In 1881 and 1882 he taught at Cole's 
Creek, Calhoon county, where, with the aid of Hon. R. N. 
Provine, he built up a good high school. His pastoral labors 
were wonderfully blessed. June 19, 1882, he was married 
to Miss Lula Martin, whose parents, J. C. and Mrs. N. E. 
Martin, live at Cole's Creek. He had then just passed his 
twenty-sixth year. 

In 1885 he came to Jefferson, ten miles north of Carroll- 
ton, to become pastor of Liberty and other churches. Jeffer- 
son was in the forest. His pastorate was greatly blessed and 
his churches grew in contributions and spiritual power. In 
one year he baptized two hundred people into Liberty and 
Pisgah churches besides many others. He undertook to build 
up a High School at Jefferson at the solicitation of his friends. 
The effort was quite successful, and this school is still the 
educational center for a large surrounding territory. Many 
young men and young women have ranked well in culture by 
reason of training at Jefferson High School. Around the 
school has been built up a flourishing village, solely on ac- 
count of the school. 

In 1892 Rev. Mr. Bene went to Blue Mountain and spent 
the most of one year in teaching in the Male Academy. He 
was then a widower, with several children, his wife having 
died in September, 1891. In December, 1892, he was mar- 
ried to Mrs, Mary Lou Shackleford. At the request of many 
friends and patrons he returned to Jefferson and again took 



60 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHER^. 

up the work of the Jefferson High School, besides filling the 
pastorate of neighboring churches. 

Rev. Mr. Bene has preached much and at times great 
blessings have attended his preaching. He has considerable 
power in the pulpit, his style being clear and vivid and his 
discourses abounding in plain and forcible exposition of the 
Scriptures. He has had uniform success as a teacher and 
disciplinarian. 

His second wife was sick at the time of marriage, but her 
illness was not thought to be serious. It, however, proved 
otherwise, as she passed over the "silent river" in about ten 
months. To his companions he feels that he owes much, as 
both were pious and always aided him in good works. He 
has seven children, three boys and four girls. Rev. Mr. 
Bene's father, L. R. Bene, died in 1884. His mother still 
lives and makes her home with her honored son. He feels 
deeply indebted to Capt. John Powell, who educated him, 
ever stood loyally by him, and watched his success with the 
interest of a father. Capt. Powell died March, 1893. Having 
been quite successful in labors in his native State, Rev. Mr. 
Bene, feeling that the hand of Providence was leading him, 
moved to Franklinton, Louisiana, August, 1894. Many 
friends follow him with interest and good wishes. 

Micajah Bennett. It is eminently fitting that the name 
of this good man should have a place in these pages, although 
the author has almost absolutely no material for giving a 
sketch of his life and work. From personal knowledge he 
can say that in the days of his youth Mr. Bennett's influence 
as a preacher and as a man of moral worth, was widely felt. 
His labors were confined to the territory of the Columbus and 
Louisvile Associations in East Mississippi, his home being in 
the western part of Oktibbeha county. He labored a number 
of years in the western part of the Columbus Association, and 
was often employed as its missionary for needy points within 
its territory. In 1844 he was moderator of the Columbus 
Association. Later his labors were within the Louisville As- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 6l 

sociation, as we find him a member of Double Springs church 
in 1868. His was pioneer work, for which he was well fitted. 

Julius Simpson Berry was born in Tippah county, 
Miss., December 9, 1844. Receiving his literary training in 
the schools of North Mississippi, he entered the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary in 1874. He remained there 
during that session of eight months. He was ordained in 
Baldwyn, Miss., in July, 1875. Since his ordination he has 
been actively engaged in the pastorate, serving two or three 
or four churches contemporaneously. He is a son of Deacon 
Joel H. Berry, and an older brother of William Edwin Berry, 
of Blue Mountain. He was pastor of the Shannon church 
1876, 1877; of the Baldwin church 1876 to 1882; of the 
Pleasant Ridge church 1876 to 1881 ; of Mount Olive 1876; 
Meadow Creek 1877 to 1881 ; of Sardis and Batesville 1885 
and 1884 ; of Cherry Creek 1885 ; of Guntown and Verona 
1885 and 1886 ; of Rienzi 1885 and 1886; of Jacinto 1885 and 
1886 ; of Egypt 1887; of Jericho 1887 and 1888 ; and of Bald- 
win 1889 and on for several years. These pastorates are all 
in Mississippi, and this record of Mr. Berry's indicates an 
immense amount of labor. He is a man of integrity and 
honor, and a most excellent minister of Jesus Christ, although 
a smiling fame may never herald his name abroad. 

William Edwin Berry, of Blue Mountain, Miss., was 
born in Tippah county, Miss., January 19, 1847. He is the 
second son of Joel H. Berry, a prominent Baptist deacon and 
successful farmer in the early settlement of this country. 
He was converted in early life, and in his eleventh year 
he joined the Fellowship Baptist church, near his home in 
Tippah county, and was baptized by Rev. James Boswell. 
His early education was cut short by the Civil War. At the 
age of seventeen he enlisted in the Confederate army as 
private in Company I of the second Mississippi Regiment of 
cavalry. He was soon appointed sergeant major of the 
regiment by the commander, Col. E. A. Cox. This position 
he held till the surrender of the Southern States, when he was 



62 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



paroled in May, 1865, 
at Columbus, Miss. He 
returned to find that his 
father's farm had been 
wrecked by the ravages 
of war. Fences were 
burned and stock gone, 
and servants freed. He 
went to work on the 
farm, where he re- 
mained several years. 
Later he spent two ses- 
sions in the Male Acad- 
emy at Verona, Miss., 
then under the manage- 
ment of Prof. R. M. 
Lea veil. 

In 1 87 1 he was liber- 
ated to preach by Fel- 
lowship church, and in 
the following September 
he went to Mississippi 
College. In 1872 his father moved from his country home to 
Baldwin, Miss. During his college course he frequently 
preached at points in reach of Clinton, Miss., having a regular 
appointment for a part of the time at Morton, Miss., and at 
Queen's Hill in Hinds county. During the vacations he as- 
sisted pastors in meetings in his own and in adjoining associa- 
tions. In the summer of 1874 he travelled as missionary in 
the Tishomingo Association, visited destitute places, and or- 
ganized one church and built up others. After a four years' 
course in Mississippi College he graduated with the first honors 
in 1875, with degree of A. B. In the following September he 
entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, then 
located at Greenville, S. C, where he spent one year. 

In the summer of 1876 he returned to his native county. 
Soon thereafter he was married to Miss Modena Lowrey, eld- 




£2u>r 04\£$t . O&Usi^z^^ 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 63 

est daughter of Gen. M. P. Lowrey, D. D., founder of Blue 
Mountain Female College. He bought a half interest in this 
institution of learning, and in September following he took a 
place in the faculty as Professor of Ancient Languages, which 
position he still holds. He has been for many years Business 
Manager of the college. The rapid increase of the patronage 
of the college made it necessary from time to time to improve 
the buildings and grounds. This has been done mainly under 
his supervision. In addition to his labors in the college he 
has served several country churches as pastor. For twelve 
years he was Chairman of the Executive Board of the Tippah 
Association, and during these years this body did much in the 
various departments of mission work. He has for several 
years been moderator of this association. He is now (1894) 
pastor of Fellowship and Academy churches, two of the oldest 
and among the most flourishing churches in the association. 
These churches are in the neighborhood of the home of his 
youth and with them he used to worship when a boy. He 
has been pastor of Fellowship for fourteen years. Into this 
church he was baptized in early life and remained in it until 
he drew his letter to go into the organization of the church at 
Blue Mountain. He is one of the few surviving members 
who was in the organization of this large church. 

Prof. Berry is a man possessing many excellent traits of 
mental and spiritual character, He enjoys the entire confi- 
dence and esteem of the community in which he lives and of 
all in the State who know him. He illustrates the truth of 
the old proverb, "If a man's life be lightning his words will 
be thunders," {Cujus vita fulgor, ejus verba tonitrus). 

Daniel P. Bestor, D. D., was a man of great pulpit power. 
It is much to be regretted that the writer has been unble, 
from any source, to obtain any material for the life and work 
of this great and good man. He was pastor of the church at 
Columbus, then a church of great influence and wealth, at 
the beginning of the Civil War, and for a few years about 
that time. The author has a vivid remembrance of having 



64 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

once, when a lad of fourteen, heard Dr. Bestor preach in the 
Columbus church on the text: * 'All things are yours, whether 
Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or 
things present, or things to come: all are yours, and ye are 
Christ's, and Christ is God's " This sermon must have 
been heard in the winter of i860, thirty-four years ago, yet 
the enthusiasm and eloquence of the preacher remains a vivid 
impression to-day. After leaving Columbus Dr. Bestor suc- 
cessfully filled the pastorate of the St. Francis Street Baptist 
church, Mobile, Ala, Wherever he preached his talents com- 
manded the admiration of his congregations. He went to his 
reward some years since greatly admired and esteemed. The 
following was published in the Minutes of the Baptist State 
Convention: 

Resolutions.— Rev. Mr. Bestor: — Whereas, It has 
pleased God, through providence of Infinite Wisdom, to call 
from our midst, our much esteemed, and venerable Bro., 
Rev. Daniel P. Bestor, First Vice-President of this Conven- 
tion, and, Whereas; We, his surviving brethren, desirous pf 
perpetuating his memory, and giving public expression, of our 
consciousness of the great loss we have sustained in the death 
of one so well and favorably known to us all, and to Baptists 
throughout the South and West, and equally known to Mis- 
sissippi, as one of her former legislators, and known to our 
riper scholars and students as an untiring friend to the great 
cause of education: known to hundreds of hapless orphans as 
a kind, sympathizing, and benevolent, friend, and father; 
and known to all as an exemplary Christian, and useful min- 
ister, possessed with untiring zeal in the cause of Christ, 
whom he served a half century, and whose faithfulness was 
only equaled by his piety and usefulness, Therefore, Resolved, 
First, That this body, bow in submission to the stroke that 
severed our relationship, believing, that while we have lost 
much, he has gained heaven. Second, That as Christians 
we strive to imitate his piety, and practice his benevolence; 
as ministers, we admire his zeal, and will strive to pattern 
after his fidelity, that like him we may be "ready for every 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 65 

good word and work," and when the summons comes, to leave 
earth and enter into ''the rest that remaineth for the people 
of God." Third, That we tender to his weeping companion, 
and friends, our heartfelt condolence, and humbly pray God 
to sanctify this affliction to their good. Fourth, That we 
dedicate one page of our Minutes of this Convention to the 
memory of one whom we so dearly loved, Rev. Daniel P. 
Bestor, "who being dead yet speaketh." 
"Life's labor done, as sinks the clay, 

Light from its load the Spirit flies, 
While heaven and earth combine to say, 

How blest the righteous when he dies." 

P. H. Bilbro. The facts of the life of this minister are 
largely unknown to us. We have the information that he 
was ordained in December, 1871, at Rehoboth church, Ran- 
kin county, the presbytery being Revs. T. E. Morris and M. 
B. Mann. He has been pastor of eight churches in Rankin 
and adjoining counties. 

W. S. Blackmon was born August 6, 1859, in Carthage, 
Leake county, Miss. His father was killed in the late 
war, in the year 1863; and after the close of the war his 
mother was married again. His parents were poor and he 
was reared on a farm, earning a livelihood by hard work. 
He says he was raised without knowing what education really 
meant. His parents were members of the Lutheran church 
and all the religious training he received was under Lutheran 
influences. He went to Sunday school sometimes. He was 
allowed to drink whisky, play cards and dance and was never 
denied any indulgence in these things when they were con- 
venient. So he became a very rude boy. At the age of 
fifteen he left his home, and at the age of sixteen hired him- 
self out as a laborer. He says that in consequence of associ- 
ation with bad boys he grew to be a desperate character by 
the time he was eighteen. But God, in His mercy, through 
the gospel of His Son, followed him. Under the preaching 



66 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

of Rev. Wm. McMurtray he was arrested and solemnly con- 
verted, united with the Baptist church at Pleasant Hill and 
was baptized in Pearl river, near Carthage by Rev. Ben. 
Brantly, then pastor of Pleasant Hill church. 

In 1886 he was ordained as a deacon. In 1887 he was 
licensed to preach. From the time of his conversion he 
desired to read the Bible. He had learned to read a little by 
spelling all the hard words, and that he says was about half 
of them. But by continual study of the Bible he learned 
something about it, and as he progressed he felt, woe is me 
if 1 preach not the gospel. So he began to preach. In 1891 
he was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry. This 
was in June. In November he was persuaded to sell his little 
farm and go to school. This he did, and reached Clinton 
November 18, 1891, and entered Mississippi College in the pre- 
paratory department. On account of the hard times he was 
forced to leave school early in the next year. During the 
years 1892 and 1893 he preached almost every Sunday. 
During 1894 all of his time has been taken up in preaching 
in the*county in which he lives. He has been successful and 
God has blessed his labors. 

In September, 1893, he left his old home at Carthage and 
moved to Redwood, Warren county, where he now lives and 
where the Lord has greatly blessed him. He says: "This 
year (1894) is the best of my life. I have preached nearly 
every Sunday, held four protracted meetings, organized 
two new churches, baptized forty-six converts. 1 have been 
a Christian and a Baptist sixteen years. 1 am not a Baptist 
by birth or early training but a Baptist from honest convic- 
tions. Let me live long or die soon I will still be His 
servant." 

W. W. Blain was born in Abbeville district, S. C , 
about 1840, and moved with his father and family to Winston 
countv, Miss., in 1845, at the age of five years. He was 
reared on the farm, was a good boy, acquired such an educa- 
tion as the country schools of the times and place afforded. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 67 

He professed religion and joined Hopewell church at sixteen 
years of age, and was always a consistent church member 
and of more than ordinary intelligence in his community. In 
1861 when the war broke out he was among the first to enlist 
as a private soldier in Company D., Fifth Regiment Missis- 
sippi Infantry, At the end of the first twelve months when 
the regiment was reorganized, he was elected lieutenant by his 
comrades, in which capacity he served until the close of the 
war. He was a faithful and true soldier, and a gallant and 
efficient officer. He was wounded in the head by a minnie 
ball, narrowly escaping with his life. 

After the surrender he attended school and acquired a 
much more liberal education, and followed teaching school at 
different times. Feeling impressed to preach the gospel, but 
being of a very modest and shrinking disposition, he passed 
several years as an active and useful church member, teach- 
ing and leading in church music. He was not ordained until 
1875, at the church he first joined (Hopewell). He then 
preached to that and other churches around as his feeble health 
and his circumstances permitted, until his death, which 
occurred in 1883, having labored with great acceptance. He 
died in the vicinity of his long and useful residence. A few 
years before his death he was married to Miss Avie Hunt, 
whom he left with several children. He was a good and true 
man of more than ordinary capacity, efficiency, and useful- 
ness as a citizen and as a Christian. — Contributed by Rev. H. 
J. Vanlandingham . 

William Wilson Bolls, was born near Salem church, 
Jefferson county, Miss., December 2, 1827. His father, 
James Bolls, was also a native Mississippian, both he and his 
wife being scions from the pure stock of Erin's isle. When 
young Bolls was below his 'teens his father, then living-in 
Warren county, passed away from earth, leaving a widow 
with six children. Upon Wilson, the oldest boy, devolved 
mainly the maintenance of the family in which, with the aid 
and counsel of a clear-headed mother, and his uncle, Wm. E. 



68 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



Bolls, it . may be 
said he "performed 
well his part." The 
loss of a father and 
the pressure of 
these duties depriv- 
ed him of early ed- 
ucational advanta- 
ges. He was in 
school only a few- 
months in the "log 
cabin' 'school house 
but by the blaze of 
the "pine knot" 
fire rather than of 
the "midnight oil," 
he learned much of 
life and men and 
things. By the in- 
W1LLIAM WILSON BOLLS. tluence of a pious 

mother he was trained "in the nurture and admonition ot the 
Lord." This mother still lives, in 1893, to see the increasing 
usefulness of her eldest son. 

In early life young Bolls gave his heart to God and even 
then gave promise of usefulness. In prayer-meetings and 
Sunday schools he was a leader and an acceptable monitor to 
his senior brethren. He was studious in God's Word, making 
it the "man of his counsel" and guide of his years. 

At the a^e of eighteen he was married, his bride being 
the elder daughter of Levi Stephens, the senior deacon of 
Antioch church, Warren county, his alma mater in Christ. 
During the two years after his marriage he remained at the 
old homestead and then located as a farmer on his own land 
in the same county. After the birth of his third child, in his 
twenty-third year he felt God's call to the ministry as the 
paramount work of life, and was licensed by Antioch church 
early in 185 1. 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 69 

Feeling the necessity of a better preparation for this 
great work he sold a large portion of his property in order to 
take a course of theology in Howard College, but heavy 
family expenses forced him to leave before the completion of 
his course. He immediately entered the active work of the 
ministry, having been invited to the pastorate of his mother 
church, Antioch, and neighboring churches. He was ordain- 
ed to the full work of the ministry in 1853, Revs. W. H. 
Taylor and S. W. Sexton being the presbytery. He remain- 
ed with three churches as pastor, Antioch and two others, for 
three years, and he feels that it was here principally that 
his powers for good were developed. He was directed by 
Providence to Copiah county, where he settled in response to 
the invitation of White Oak, Pine Bluff, and Brushy Fork, 
and subsequently, Utica churches. A large portion of his life 
was spent as pastor of these churches, into which he baptized 
more than a thousand members. 

At the beginning of the civil war he prepared for service 
on the field of carnage. He was elected captain of a company 
he had drilled. Very soon, however, by petition of his com- 
rades in arms, he was exempted from military service that he 
might minister, where he was more needed, to desolate 
families at home. He protested, but obeyed; and at this 
present juncture of infirm age is gratified by pleasing 
remembrances of this beneficent work. 

After the close of the war for five years he remained 
preaching to these same churches, until, in 1870, he was in- 
duced to go to Wilkinson county as a missionary of the old 
Mississippi Association. In this capacity he served two years 
until his field became strong enough to support him without 
aid from the body. It was a hard and laborious field, but for 
years he occupied it, and then voluntarily resigned it for a 
younger and stronger man. He removed to Amite county, 
where he enjoyed a pleasant pastorate, and was well sup- 
ported for his entire time for a term of fifteen years — indeed 
until the war of prohibition began to rage. He was a pioneer 
in this contest with Satan. Long before the smoke of battle 



7 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

had reached him he "sniffed the breeze from afar," and in 
the face of opposing sentimentalism from not only mammon 
but religious (?) creeds he began the war in his field. Many 
were not prepared for the battle. Many differed in sentiment 
concerning prohibition— "it was abridging personal liberty"— 
and took a different position from him. This elderly gentle- 
man—hitherto called an "able preacher"— became a sacrifice 
upon the threshold of the conflict, was forced to give up this, 
one of the pleasantest fields in which he ever labored. But 
from this same section to-day come gratifying acknowledg- 
ments of former folly and praises from his then most violent 
persecutors. 

Mr. Bolls is a modest, unassuming man, of few words, 
but thoughtful. He is excelled by very few as a pulpit orator. 
From his pulpit power comes his success, in a great measure, 
as a minister of Jesus Christ. He is well-grounded in the 
Scriptures, and sound in faith. He is an uncompromising 
advocate of what he believes to be right, and the teachings 
of God's Word. He is a man of sorrows and acquainted with 
grief, if we may presume to apply this expressive language 
used concerning our Redeemer, to one of his brethren, having 
lost the majority of his family. He has been a devoted 
father; is self-sacrificing to an extreme in all of his dealings, 
patient in waiting God's time, faithful in life, having respect 
to the recompense of the reward which God offers in the end. 
He has lived to a ripe old age, with his powers of thought 
still vigorous, and still contending with the powers of dark- 
ness, not one adherent of which has ever dared to charge a 
mean thing against him. One who has known this old ser- 
vant in Isreal nearly forty years and loved him all the while, 
says: "Realizing that but a few more years at best are left 
to him, yet the writer is quite sure of his welcome plaudit in 
the end, 'Well done! Well doneW and that his crown will be 
bright and that many, many of the redeemed whom God 
made him instrumental in saving here will join him in the 
eternal world with praises to the Most High God for salvation 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. J\ 

through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom he 
preached." 

Mr. Bolls is now (1894), and for several years past has 
been, pastor of the Fellowship and Rodney churches, Jeffer- 
son county — the pastorate once occupied by the writer. He 
is held in the warmest esteem and is still active in his old age 
in preaching "the glorious gospel of the blessed God." 

William P. Bond, son of Lewis Bond, was born in Bertie 
county, N. C , October 16, 181 3. He professed religion at 
Chapel Hill, in 1831, and was baptized by Dr. William 
Hooper; united with Mount Carmel church in 1832; moved to 
Tennessee in 1837, settled in Brownsville, and engaged in the 
legal profession, and was elected judge of the circuit court in 
1865, which office he held until 1871. In January, 1871, he 
was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry, the pres- 
bytery being Revs. G. W. Young, Mat. Hillsman, I. R. Bran- 
ham, and J. F. B. Mays; and he became pastor of the 
Brownsville church, which pastorate he filled for three years. 

"Brother Bond, as a judge, wore the ermine with great 
dignity. As a speaker he is fluent and impressive. His moral 
character is unsurpassed. His attainments are of the first 
order, and yet he is very modest and unpretending. He was 
at one time the president of the West Tennessee Baptist Con- 
vention, and he was elected the president of the Tennessee 
Baptist Convention at its organization." — Baptist Encyclo- 
pedia , page 112. 

After effectively preaching the gospel in Tennessee in 
different places, "Judge" Bond, as he has ever been respect- 
fully called, came to Senatobia, Miss , late in 1886, or early 
in 1887, to visit a daughter, Mrs. Ingram, wife of Prof. 
Ingram, then Principal of Blackbourn Female College. The 
Baptist church was then without a pastor, Dr, W. H. Carroll, 
the pastor, having died in November, 1886. Judge Bond was 
invited to the pastorate of the church at Senatobia, and at 
once accepted the invitation and began the performance of his 
duties. He filled this pastorate for two years. At its begin- 



J2 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ning he was a widower, but during the second year of his 
pastorate at Senatobia he became acquainted with Mrs. Sallie 
E. Curry, of Starkville. This acquaintance ripened into a 
speedy marriage of Judge Bond and Mrs. Curry. Failing 
health led to the resignation of his pastorate in 1889. With 
his wife he at once moved to Starkville where Mrs. Bond 
owned a comfortable home and other property. Since that 
time Judge Bond's health has been somewhat in the way of 
his performing regular pastoral work, but he has ever been 
ready to preach "the glorious gospel" wherever opportunity 
presented. He has been a valued correspondent to the 
denominational papers, and in this way has enriched their 
columns with the fruit of his pen. 

He has reached the good old age of eighty-one, and still 
lives (1894) in his Starkville home calmly and peacefully 
awaiting the summons to "come up higher." His health is 
feeble, but his faith is clear and his hope is strong, and he 
sustains in his community a spotless and unblemished reputa- 
tion. Since this was written Judge Bond, on October 29, 
1894, died at his home in Starkville and his remains were 
carried to Brownsville, Tenn., his old home, for interment, 

A. H. Booth. The following sketch of this able and 
honored minister of Jesus Christ was prepared by Dr. A. V. 
Rowe and published in the Baptist Record , of March 30, 1893, 
and is so graphic and just that the writer inserts it unchanged: 
"I sit this morning alone in the home of Bro. Booth. About 
me are the familiar objects with which he spent his time 
while at home. Just to my left is a picture of the delegates 
to the Southern Baptist Convention which met at Golumbus 
in 1881. To my right is the table on which he did his writ- 
ing and which now holds the Unabridged Dictionary and the 
family Bible just as left by himself when he came home last 
summer to visit his books. In the rear left hand corner is the 
library, consisting of a choice and well selected lot of books. 
These were his friends and ever afforded him material for 
supplying not only his own great mind with information, but 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 73 

enabled him to preach to their delight and edification those 
rare discourses that his congregations were accustomed to 
hear. On the shelves are Fuller, Henry, Clarke, Bunyan, 
Stuart, Spurgeon, Pendleton, Bailey, Kirtley, Conant, Car- 
son, Dayton, Weston, Graves, Benedict, etc. Probably no 
man in Mississippi has gained more profound scriptural 
knowledge under greater disadvantages than did Bro. Booth. 
He was married quite young and his wife taught him to read. 
But when once the desire for knowledge was kindled, he saw 
that the preacher must endeavor to show himself "approved 
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." He 
suffered no difficulties to hinder him, but pressed over every 
obstacle until he became not only a good English scholar, but 
learned to read Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Here is his well 
worn Greek Testament and there is his Bible Hebraica, and 
side by side are Liddell and Scott and Donnegan and Lev- 
erett. 

"He was born in Hardeman county, Tennessee, July 21, 
1822. He was ordained at Mill Creek church in November, 
1843. The presbyters taking part in his ordination were: 
C. Kane, Wm. Hardage and L. Savage. For forty-eight 
years he was actively engaged in the work of the ministry 
and was more or less prominent most of the time in our de- 
nominational work, until one and a half years ago he was 
stricken with paralysis. He was among the first, if not the 
first appointee of the Foreign Mission Board to raise funds for 
that Board in our State. This work involved the canvass of 
the churches on horseback. It was before the time of the 
railroads or even of many public roads and bridges. It was 
at this time while living in North Mississippi that he was associ- 
ated with the Balls and M. P. Lowery, the latter of whom, if 
I mistake not, claimed him as his father in the gospel. 

"After the war he moved to Lodi, and with his daughter 
taught school. Here he buried his first wife and in 1865 was 
married to Mrs. Dyre who survives him. Not liking the 
school room and not receiving a support from the churches, 
he studied law and was admitted to the bar at Winona, where 



74 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

he rapidly pushed to the front rank as a lawyer. He was 
then also at the very zenith of his power as a preacher. In 
1869 he engaged in a debate on baptism with a Methodist 
minister at Harland's Creek church in Holmes county. On 
the first day, before any speeches had been made, he invited 
his opponent to take a walk. They went off together and 
hiding themselves in the forest, prayed together and became 
quite happy. It is said that the debate was marked through- 
out by the influences of this prayer season. His ministry 
was largely among the country churches, between whom and 
himself there was also a strong sympathy. In 1882 he was 
employed as lecturer to the colored preachers by the Home 
Mission Society, whiqfr work he performed in a manner highly 
satisfactory to all concerned. He was eminently wise in the 
conduct of this work, and greatly endeared himself to those 
humble men, and at the same time maintained the respect 
and^esteem of his white brethren. In 1883 he moved back to 
his old home in Montgomery county and from there preached 
to the country churches in reach, baptizing many, and always 
interested in the extension of the Master's cause. Only two 
years ago he organized the churches at Kilmichael and 
Stewart. 

In November, 1891, his left side was entirely paralyzed, 
which rendered him almost helpless. In great patience he 
endured this affliction, and never by word or action lost that 
genial good temper that always characterized him. He became 
restless only on the meeting days of his churches, and then he 
wanted to go to them. His heart was very much set on going 
to the convention last year, but it was impossible. As the 
protracted meeting season came on, he so yearned to go that 
his family carried him to one meeting and he did attempt to 
preach twice sitting in a rocking chair. In November, 1892, 
his entire right side was paralyzed and he was rendered 
wholly helpless. In much suffering but with great patience 
he has waited the summons of the Master, growing weaker 
slowly day by day, faithfully and tenderly attended by his 
wife and children, I visited him in December and two such 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 75 

days of spiritual profit it has rarely been my pleasure to have. 
We passed the time in prayer and in reading and quoting the 
precious promises of our Lord. He requested that I come 
back and preach his funeral sermon. I went away feeling 
that it had been a great privilege to be with one who seemed 
to be so near the "Father's house of many mansions," that 
he reflected something of the beauty of that bright home in 
his face and words. 

On Wednesday night, the 16th of March, he called his 
family about him and told them the end was near. He said 
to each one, "good-bye, meet me, meet me, meet me," and 
so fell asleep. Yesterday we laid him away in the grave- 
yard .of the Poplar Creek church. "Blessed are the dead that 
die in the Lord; yea saith the Spirit, they do rest from their 
labors and their works do follow them." Amen and amen. — 
A. V. ROWE. 

P. P. Bowen was born in Kershaw county (then dis- 
trict), S. C, in 1799. In early youth he was made a subject 
of the Holy Spirit's convicting and saving power. He was 
ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry in Augusta, 
Ga., in 1827. He had no educational advantages and was 
what we call a "self-made" man. He proclaimed the way of 
salvation in parts of the states of South Carolina, Georgia, 
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. He settled in 
Clarke county, Miss,, in the year 1844, and removed to the 
Gulf coast of the State in 1847. He was missionary of the 
Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in 
1850 and 1855. He "refugeed" from the Gulf coast during 
the Civil War, in 1863. This removal was influenced 
through fear of capture by the Federals, as he was known to 
be a strong Confederate and as having a son (Oscar D. 
Bowen) in the Confederate army. 

He was a tender hearted man, and his continued acts of 
charity made glad the hearts of the poor, the widow, and 
orphan. He died in Clarke county in 1871 where "his flesh 
rests in hope." He was one of the Baptist pioneer preachers 



7 6 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



of the State and it is very much to be regretted that so little 
remains to indicate his labors to us who follow him in the 
same blessed work. 



Oscar D. Bowen, son of Rev. Philip P. Bowen (just 
mentioned), was born at Nannafalia, Marengo county, Ala., 
September 22, 1843. He was converted to God in early life 
and was baptized into the fellowship of Tide Water Baptist 




OSCAR D. BOWEN. 

church on the Mississippi Gulf coast at the age of fifteen. 
He served in the Confederate army nearly four years and 
was so seriously wounded that his recovery seemed almost 
miraculous. In 1869 he was married to Miss Lillie Minor, of 
Demopolis, Ala., who has been to him a helpmeet indeed, and 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 77 

to whom under God he feels indebted for much of the success 
which may have crowned his labors for Christ. 

Having felt called of God to preach the gospel, he resisted 
the call for several years, but severe afflictions led him to a 
complete surrender of his will to God. Most sensibly did he 
feel, "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel." In 1872 he was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry and became pastor of 
nine churches in East Mississippi and West Alabama. His 
pastorate with these churches was marvelously successful. 

He was instrumental in bringing about the organization 
of the Chickasahay Association. Soon after this he was 
missionary and evangelist of the State Mission Board to the 
destitute regions of Southeast Mississippi. Later than this he 
became missionary of the same board on the Gulf coast, 
where he served ten years, occupying the entire field for six 
years. This field of labor extended from Pearlington on 
Pearl river to Moss Point on the Escatawpa river, and em- 
braced the pastorate of eight organized but struggling church- 
es. In this section of the State he was successful and was 
more efficient than any other man, for having been raised in 
the territory he understood the peculiar difficulties and grap- 
pled with them with great wisdom and ability. The esteem 
in which he was held is seen in the fact that he was chosen 
moderator of the Gulf Coast Association ten years in succes- 
sion. 

At present (1894) he is pastor of the Ellisville, Sanders- 
ville and Eastabuchie churches, on the New Orleans and 
North Eastern Railway. Rev. Mr. Bowen is an accom- 
plished and vigorous writer. In addition to his min- 
isterial work he has contributed a number of articles 
to the newspapers, secular and religious, and besides has pre- 
pared and published in permanent form the following books: 
"A History of the Baptists of the Gulf Coast from its Begin- 
ning in 1830;" "The Baptists: What they Believe, and Why 
they Believe It;" and "The Holy Spirit and Missions." 
These all are able presentations of the subjects of which they 



78 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

treat; the first named is a very valuable contribution to the 
history of Mississippi Baptists. 

Of Rev. Mr. Bowen it may be said that, in his preaching 
the Bible is his guide and text book and Christ is his theme. 
While he is an uncompromising Baptist and a firm believer in 
the great Pauline doctrines, which are improperly called Cal- 
vinism, yet he is not unwise and injudicious in the presenta- 
tion of these truths. It may also be truthfully said of him 
that he is missionary through and through, and is in hearty 
accord with all our denominational work. He is a man small 
of stature and of a nervous temperament, but a man of strong 
convictions and has the courage to fearlessly express his con- 
victions as occasion may demand. He is now in the meridian 
of his powers as a preacher of Jesus Christ. 



^ Joseph Woodruff 
Bozeman, D. D. The 

remote Dutch ancestors 
of Rev. Joseph Woodruff 
Bozeman came from Hol- 
land. Some of the name 
'were masters of ships in 
the Chesapeake Bay as 
'early as 1726. His grand- 
father, Samuel Bozeman, 
was from North Carolina; 
his father, Jefferson R. 
Bozeman, from Georgia. 
His mother was Ann Ma- 
tilda Woodruff, from 
Spartansburg county, 
South Carolina. Several 
of her kindred were Bap- 
JOSEPH WOODRUFF BOZE.MAN, D.D. tist preachers, including 
a brother, Rev. Nathaniel E. Woodruff, prominent in the 
Louisville Association, a cousin, Rev. Gideon Woodruff, of 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 79 

Choctaw county, and a nephew, Rev. Robert M. Woodruff, 
of Neshoba county. 

Rev. Mr. Bozeman was born in Lowndes county, Alabama, 
November i, 1833; was reared in Winston county, Miss., 
from 1840 to 1855; was educated at Central Institute, Ala., 
and the University of Virginia. At the age of sixteen he was 
made the subject of God's regenerating grace, united with 
Enon Baptist church, Winston county, Miss., and was bap- 
tized by his uncle, Rev. Nathaniel E. Woodruff in 1849. 

Rev. Mr. Bozeman was married the first time to Miss 
Ella Snead, of Richmond, Va., March 5, 1862. This excellent 
lady died some time during his pastorate at Aberdeen, Miss., 
which extended from about 1870 to 1879. He was married a 
second time to Miss Julia Evans, of Aberdeen, Miss., August 
19, 1875, He feels that he has been greatly blessed in the 
superiority and excellence of his wife, who is a true help- 
meet, sympathizing with him in his labors and helping to 
smooth the rough places of life. 

He was ordained to the full work of the ministry in the 
city of Richmond, Va,, April 24, 1864, by Drs. J. B. Jeter, J. 
L. Burrows, David Shaver, W. E. Hatcher, J. B. Solomon 
and Henry Watkins, as the ordaining council. His first pas- 
torate was with the Pine Street church, Richmond, Va., which 
although brief gave promise of much good. In 1866 he became 
pastor of the church at Lexington, Miss,, and contiguous 
country churches. Here he did a great deal of hard work, 
often walking to his country appointments several miles from 
town. From Lexington he moved to Aberdeen, Miss., in 1869 
or 1870, and became pastor of the Baptist church in that 
flourishing and elegant town. But the Baptists not possessing 
sufficient financial strength to command his entire time he 
taught school and also served contiguous country churches. 
During the years spent in the Aberdeen pastorate he was 
studious and was all the while growing in ministerial culture 
and power. His talents were also more and more attracting 
the attention of the denomination in the State. The pastorate 
of the First Baptist church. Meridian, Miss., one of the most 



80 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

important pastorates in the State, becoming vacant, Dr. 
Bozeman was invited to fill it. He accepted the invitation and 
began his work in Meridian in 1879. In these three pastorates 
Dr. Bozeman has been laboriously engaged for thirty years 
without a day's intermission, and fifteen of these years have 
been with the First church, Meridian, where now (1894) he 
labors with unabated zeal and power. 

His reputation as a scholar and public speaker has brought 
to him numerous invitations to deliver various commencement 
sermons and public addresses before schools and colleges in 
Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. This honor conferred 
upon him he has often felt constrained to decline, but has also 
accepted on different occasions. In 1878, while pastor at 
Aberdeen, he accepted the invitation to deliver the commence- 
ment sermon of the University of Mississippi, at Oxford. At 
that time the trustees of the University conferred upon him 
the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. 

Twice has Dr. Bozeman preached the introductory sermon 
of the Baptist State Convention — at the session in West Point, 
in 1870; and at the session in Sardis in 1882. At the organ- 
ization of the Mississippi Baptist Historical Society in the city 
of Jackson, July, 1888, Dr. Bozeman delivered an address of 
unusual interest on "The Mississippi Baptist State Conven- 
tion of 1886." In this address he gave a vivid pen picture 
(for the address was written and delivered from the manu- 
script) of the men and proceedings of this, his first session of 
the State Convention. 

He has been honored by his brethren. He has several 
times been made vice-president of the State Convention. For 
years he has been moderator of the Chickasahay Association; 
trustee of Mississippi College; and is now a trustee of the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Dr. Bozeman is short of stature, has dark eyes and hair, 
has a quiet manner in the pulpit, is reticent in company, is 
blessed with four sons and two daughters, who, with his 
wives, have been helpful in his ministry and an honor to his 
name. He has a face of unusual benignity. No one can be 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 8 1 

in his presence or look into his kindly face without feeling 
that he is in the presence of a good and true man. 

During his long pastorate of the First church, Meridian, 
he has three times had the pleasure of greeting the Mississippi 
Baptist State Convention as the guest of that church, which 
is a very unusual experience for any pastor. The Convention 
met with his church in 1881, again in 1886, and again in 1892. 
Just a short time, however, before the meeting of the body 
there in 1892, he and his members had the great misfortune 
of seeing their elegant church edifice destroyed by fire. With 
true courage and zeal, however, they said to the Convention 
and great Baptist 1 brotherhood, come, and we will entertain 
you despite the fact we have no church home. The city hall 
was secured and the Convention was handsomely entertained. 
During the two years and more since that time he and his 
people have had their energies absorbed in the arduous under- 
taking of raising funds and erecting a new church edifice, 
which is now nearing completion and which will cost about 
fifteen thousand dollars when finished and furnished. They 
will be inexpressibly happy to again enjoy the privilege of 
having once more a church home of their own in which to 
worship. 

Dr. Bozeman has ever pursued the broad and liberal pol- 
icy of encouraging and strengthening the building up of other 
Baptist interests and churches in the city. Under the preva- 
lence of this policy there are now six vigorous Baptist churches 
in the city of Meridian, a city of twelve thousand people, all 
accomplishing a good work and the First church strengthened 
rather than weakened by this general Baptist growth. There 
is here, as in all similar cases an illustration of the old say- 
ing: "Christianity is a strange commodity; the more it is ex- 
ported, the more there remains at home." 

During these fifteen years of his pastorate in Meridian 
Dr. Bozeman has been steadily growing in the affections of 
his people and in influence and power with the citi- 
zens generally. He is unusually esteemed. He, besides the 
regular duties of his pastorate, is an able and valued 



82 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHER^. 

contributor to the columns of the religious papers. He 
has had many valuable articles published in the Religious 
Herald and Baptist Record, as also occasionally in other 
journals. His letters last year, from New York, during an 
enforced trip there, published in the Record, were sprightly 
and entertaining, and indicated a remarkable talent and facil- 
ity for that sort of correspondence. He is universally esteemed 
by the brotherhood of the State and is keenly alive to all the 
interests of our Mississippi Baptist Zion. 

On the tenth anniversary of his pastorate in Meridian, 
in December, 1889, his church passed highly complimentary 
resolutions. The Baptist Record said editorially: "The reso- 
lutions adopted by the First Baptist church of our city on last 
Sunday night concerning the above named gentleman most 
readily find a place on our editorial page of this issue, The 
paper is a most fitting compliment to a most worthy pastor. 
Our duties in connection with the Southern Baptist Record 
and to the churches of our own charge make it quite impos- 
sible for us to attend upon the Sabbath ministrations of our 
pastor or to see much of him in any way, but we never fail to 
get a very fair synopsis of his excellent sermons from one or 
two of his most attentive and interested hearers, who also 
share liberally in his kind pastoral attention and therefore can 
join most heartily in commendation of what these resolutions 
set forth. Such a pastor is worthy of a very liberal material 
support and can only do his best work when he is free from 
the 'fear' caused by undue financial limitations. Paul 
wrote to one of the churches to which Timothy had been sent, 
'now if Timotheous come see that he may be with you 
without fear for he worketh the work of the Lord even as do 
I?' We trust that the brethren of the First church under- 
stand that this scripture has a Meridian application as well, 
and that they are gauging their support of their Timothy' by 
that apostolic injunction and criterion. Long may this happy 
pastorate continue, and many may there be, of gathered 
sheaves that this favored church and her beloved pastor shall 
lay down at last at the Master's feet." 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 83 

C. E. Brame was a native of Alabama and settled as 
teacher and preacher in West Point, in 1868. He was never 
pastor of the West Point church, but gave his ministerial labor 
to surrounding churches. He was a man of singular beauty 
and simplicity of character, and enjoyed the confidence and 
esteem of all who knew him. From West Point he removed 
to Whitefield, in western Oktibbeha county, where soon after, 
in 1875, ne l° s t ms excellent wife by death. Thus bereaved 
he removed to Kemper county where he afterwards married 
again and spent the remainder of his life in teaching and 
preaching to churches within his reach. Although a ripe 
scholar and an excellent sermonizer his work has been mainly 
teaching. For a number of years his health was frail and his 
physique delicate, yet he lived to reach almost his four-score 
years. He was widely esteemed as an honest and sincere 
friend and a devout Christian, His ministerial life covered a 
period of thirty-four years, and with the exception of the 
short residence in West Point and Whitefield (now Sturgis) 
it was spent in Alabama and Kemper county, Miss, He died 
at his home in Kemper county, June 20, 1892. In his death 
a most excellent and sweet-spirited man left the ranks of our 
ministry. 

O. F. Breland. Of this able and consecrated minister of 
Jesus Christ it has been possible to gather only the most 
scanty material of his life and work. No friend has supplied 
the need and the writer has been obliged to rely entirely upon 
the notice of him in the Baptist Encyclopedia, page 132. 
That notice is given entire: 

"Rev. O. F. Breland was a leading minister in Southeast 
Mississippi. He was born in Copiah county, Miss., in 1825; 
began to preach in 1859; was ordained in January, 1866; 
supplied a number of churches in Neshoba, Newton, and 
Leake counties, from two to twelve years; baptized three 
hundred persons; assisted in the organization of seven 
•churches, and in the ordination of three preachers; wrote the 
history of Mount Sinai church, and has preserved much his- 



84 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

torical material. His residence is at Dixon, Neshoba county, 
Miss." 

At his home in Dixon, November 25, 1880, this good man 
passed to his heavenly reward, after a useful life, beloved and 
honored by all who knew him. 

The presbytery in his ordination in 1866 was composed 
of Revs. N. L. Clark, John Herrington and Allford Winstead. 
He was left an orphan when young and had to struggle hard 
for what he obtained. "He was always prompt in meet- 
ing his appointments, in good or bad weather, and would 
preach what he believed to be the truth, regardless of conse- 
quences; believing that God would hold him accountable." 

Maurice E. Broaddus, D. D. The following was pub- 
lished several years since: "Maurice E. Broaddus is the 
presentable, popular and acceptable pastor of the Columbia, 
Mo., Baptist church. It is due largely to his efforts that the 
church here is enabled to greet its General Association in its 
new, large, elegant and commodious house of worship, 

"He is the eldest of a family of six, the offspring of 
Richard F, and Virginia (Henshaw) Broaddus, and was born 
at Sparta, Caroline county, Virginia, July 8, 1849. When 
about sixteen years of age, his father who passed four years 
of cavalry service in the Confederate army and came out un- 
hurt, was killed by being thrown from his horse. Up to this 
time Maurice had remained at home on the farm; but being 
the eldest of the family he felt that he should go out into the 
world for himself and accordingly accepted a position in South 
Carolina, where he remained for some time. In 1869 he came 
to Missouri and located at Shelbyville; from there he went to 
Kansas but finally returned to Missouri, and at Nevada asso- 
ciated himself with a firm of contractors and builders, where 
he lived for four years. 

"At Nevada he assisted in building the Baptist and Epis- 
copal church houses and a number of handsome private 
residences. It was there that he felt the call to preach, and 
to prepare himself for this, his life work, he attended the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 85 

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received his 
education. After his graduation he was called to a church in 
South Carolina, and held several successful pastorates in that 
state, among them being those at Camden and Clinton. 
From South Carolina he came to Missouri and his first pas- 
torate in this state was at Clinton. From Clinton he went 
to Boonville and from there he came to his present charge in 
Columbia. 

"Mr. Broaddus very justly glories in the fact that he has 




MAURICE E. BROADDUS, D. D. 
never been the pastor of any church that he did not improve 
it, either by remodeling the church building, erecting a new 
house of worship or putting up a parsonage. His record in 
Missouri attests this. At Clintcn he built a two thousand 



86 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

dollar parsonage and improved the church building to the 
amount of two thousand five hundred dollars. He was at 
Boonville two years and in that time, although he began 
with an empty treasury, built a twelve thousand dollar house 
and left the church without a dollar of debt, In Columbia 
his work had been phenomenal. He came here August i, 
1890, when the church was seven thousand dollars in debt. As 
a result of his year's work that debt had been paid; the par- 
sonage moved and put in place at a cost of nearly one thou- 
sand dollars; a twenty-two thousand dollar house of worship 
has been erected and to-day the church stands free from all 
encumbrances. During this year there have also been 
ninety-three accessions to the church. Thus in one short 
year he has raised mouments, temporal and spiritual 
for which he will always be remembered, and at last 
hear the words: 'Well done, thou good and faithful ser- 
vant.' 

"He married Miss Lillie R. Galdwell, of South Carolina, 
and has several small children: Mary V., Lucy H., Maurice 
E., Jr., Edna C, Robert C. and Lillie R. His mother, four 
brothers and a sister still live at the old home in Virginia. 
One great secret of his success is his popularity with his 
brethren of the church and with the public. He is distin- 
guished by a generous nature, cordial and popular manners, 
and tireless energy and activity in promoting the cause of 
Christ and by hearty co-oporation in all benevolent and relig- 
ious denominational enterprises. He is a man among men. 
A true, scholarly, Christian gentleman." — Central Baptist. 

In 1 891 Dr. Broaddus became president of Burlington, 
Iowa, Institute. An article in one of the Burlington papers 
speaks of this relationship and says, that, after a turn of sus- 
pension, "the future of Burlington Institute is assured." 
This article continues: 

"But we are too long detaining our readers from the 
man now president of the institute whose face adorns the page 
before us. Maurice E. Broaddus is of the Virginia family of 
Broadduses. In early life he attended a private school at 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 87 

Sparta, and afterwards was sent to Oakaloma Academy, Es- 
sex county, Va., where he was a pupil of the celebrated Prof. 
Holland, who taught for years at Bentleys, Va. His father 
being suddenly killed by a horse, in 1867, he was taken home 
to assist in supporting his widowed mother and the six chil- 
dren. In 1867 he went as surveyor to South Carolina, and 
spent one year on the Peedee river. Visiting Missouri and 
Kansas, he eventually settled at Nevada, Missouri, in busi- 
ness, where he spent four years, and from which place in 
October, 1873, he started to Greenville, South Carolina, the 
seat of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, at which 
institution he became a student at once. 

"Mr. Broaddus began his pastoral work in 1877 with two 
large country churches in Newberry county, South Carolina, 
where he remained four years, another pastorate in this state 
being at Camden, from which place he went in 1884 as a del- 
egate from the South to the World's Conference of the Young 
Men's Christian Association in Berlin, Germany. During 
this visit he spent much time in England, Ireland, Scotland, 
France, Switzerland and Germany. Returning to America in 
1885 he became pastor in Missouri, his adopted state, and 
served for some time at Clinton, Boonville and Columbia. 
At the last two places houses of worship were built, and at 
Clinton a new parsonage. 

"Last year Dr. Broaddus was elected president of the 
then closed school at Burlington. Promptly ^entering upon 
his duties and with vigor and enthusiasm he has seen the 
institution grow until it now enrolls over one hundred and 
seventy students in its three departments, while the marked 
advances which we have noted above have also taken place. 
Recently he has been elected pastor of the First Baptist 
church of Burlington." He remained president of the Bur- 
lington Institute until the health of his wife made it necessary 
to come to his native Southland again. Being unanimously 
called to the Greenville church, Miss., he accepted and began 
his labors there May 1, 1894. No man has been more active 
in his chosen work than Dr. Broaddus, and none of his age in 



88 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the ministry has raised more, money for struggling churches 
than he. 

L. N. Brock is still a young man, and from modesty, de- 
clined to furnish any of the facts of his life for aid in a sketch 
of himself , alleging that he is "hardly old enough yet to go 
into history." 

He came to Mississippi, with his excellent wife, from Ten- 
nessee, early in the year 1891, and became pastor of the 
churches at Sardis and Batesville, dividing his time equally 
between them but living in Sardis. His first meeting with the 
Baptists of the State was in the State Convention in Natchez 
in 1 891. He did a good work with these churches, and besides 
did considerable evangelistic work with neighboring churches. 
His idea was that the successful pastor is to "do the work of 
an evangelist" also as opportunity presents itself. In Decem- 
ber, 1892, he resigned his pastorate and spent a few months 
in visiting different neighboring churches. Early in 1893 he 
became pastor of the church at Shulenta, Clarke county, and 
neighboring churches. Because of peculiar difficulties he 
remained here only a few months, and became pastor of two 
churches on the Gulf coast, Moss Point and Scranton. In 
this field of labor he is now (1894) earnestly at work, and is 
consecrating his energy and good preaching ability to the 
strengthening of the Master's kingdom in Papal Mississippi. 
If his life is spared he bids fair to be an excellent and useful 
minister. 

A. D. Brooks was born in Madison county, Ky., in 1826. 
He was ordained to the full work of the ministry by Indian 
Creek church, Tennessee, July 21, 1861. The presbytery 
consisted of Revs. William Lindsay and James Hubbard. He 
came to Mississippi in 1862. In Mississippi he has been 
engaged as agent for the Lauderdale Orphan's Home. Later 
he was engaged in preaching and teaching school in the Mis- 
sissippi and Yazoo Delta country. For a decade or two past 
he has lived in Texas, and was living at last accounts. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 89 

J. E. Brunson was born in Sumter county, S. C, June 
12, 1827. When a child his parents moved to Gibson county, 
Tenn. There they remained until he was ten years old. In 
1839 they moved to Sumter county, Ala., and in 1840 moved 
to Lauderdale county, Miss., settling on a farm where he was 
reared, without even the advantages of a common school edu- 
cation. In 1855 he was converted, and united with a mission- 
ary Baptist church, and in a short time felt that he was called 
to preach the gospel of Christ. Being totally ignorant of the 
teachings of the Bible, his trials and struggles for a knowledge 
of the same were very great; but being a man of great deter- 
mination, he soon succeeded in obtaining a fairly good educa- 
tion, and almost a thorough knowledge of the Bible. He was 
ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry in June, 1862. 
He was called by Union church, Clarke county, Miss , in Novem- 
ber the same year, serving them as pastor for sixteen years. A 
short time after ordination he was called to the following 
churches: Ebenezer church, Lauderdale county, Miss., which 
he served seventeen years; Mt. Horeb church, Lauderdale 
county, which he served eleven years; New Hope church, 
which he served thirteen years and resigned, feeling that a 
change would be beneficial to the churches, though he resigned 
against the will of all the brethren. During this time he 
received numerous calls from different churches throughout the 
states of Mississippi and Alabama, and, accepted only those 
where he thought he could serve God to the best advantage. 
In 1886 he moved to the city of Meridian as missionary for 
the western portion of the city under appointment of the Gen- 
eral Association of Mississippi, but meeting with some oppo- 
sition from convention brethren claiming the territory, he only 
remained in that field a short time, when he again took up his 
country pastorates. In 1846 he was married to Miss Elaina 
McLemone and reared a large family of children, fourteen in 
number, who all lived to be grown, when God in his all-wise 
goodness saw fit to remove seven of that number with the 
devoted wife and mother, in just a few months' time. During 
these great trials he bravely submitted to the will of God. 



90 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

After living alone for a number of years he was married to 
Mrs. M. E. Butler of Hot Springs, Ark., settling in Toomsuba, 
Miss., when, on the 3d of March, 1893, he lost his home with 
all its possessions, which was swept away by a destructive 
cyclone, destroying all notes of his life's work. So we are 
unable to arrive at a correct statement of all his labors; but 
during those years of service he has baptized about fifteen 
hundred persons into the fellowship of different churches, and 
has been moderator of the Bethlehem Association thirteen 
years. He is now sixty-seven years of age, and is serving 
four churches.— I. J. BRUNSON. 

W. K. Bryant, ft is with sadness I write of the death 
at Hansford, Tenn., of Rev. W. K. Bryant. Over a month 
he suffered severely with typhoid fever. Death came to him 
October 31, 1892. Bro. Bryant was educated in Mississippi 
College, and always felt a deep interest in his alma mater, 
as he also felt in every other interest of the Master's cause 
in Mississippi. He was one of the best pastors I ever knew. 
He was energetic and faithful in the performance of every 
duty assigned to him. Bro. Bryant leaves a wife and two 
children. He was buried near Hansford, where he was highly 
esteemed. He now "rests from his labors and his works do 
follow him." May the Lord help us all to be faithful to Him 
during the short period allotted to us in this life. — JEFF D. 
ANDERSON. 

Jesse H. Buck, "a native of Tuscaloosa county, Ala., 
professed faith in the Savior and was baptized in 1841. After 
two years in Georgetown College, Ky., he went to Brown 
University and graduated in 1850. In 1856 he became pas- 
tor at Mashulaville, Miss., and sustained that relation eleven 
years, preaching once each month. In 1858 he became pas- 
tor also of the Shuqualak church, which pastorate continued 
fourteen years. During this period he preached to various 
other churches, living all the while at Macon. For twenty- 
five successive years he was delegate to the Choctaw Asso- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 91 

ciation, (to which Macon belonged until 1875) and for nine 
years was its moderator. He is an educator of large expe- 
rience and success. In 1866 he became president of the 
Macon Female Seminary, which is a chartered institution of 
much merit and influence. In the department of female edu- 
cation he and his accomplished wife have won for themselves 
bright laurels and an enviable reputation. He still preaches 
the "glorious gospel," though delicate health prevents his 
doing as much preaching as he would like. He is a profound 
thinker, and grapples with abstruse metaphysical and theolog- 
ical questions with giant strength, and yet possesses the rare 
power of making these questions plain and practical and 
interesting to the uneducated." — History of Columbus Associ- 
ation, page 128. 

In 1894 Rev. Mr. Buck still lives in Macon, but the 
years increase and he is not so strong as in the former 
years. He is most highly esteemed in his community as a 
man of integrity and a cultured Christian gentleman. The 
above brief sketch of his life, written thirteen years ago, is 
all that could be gathered in reference to a man whose life- 
work has been long and valuable. 

William Calmes Buck, D. D., was a man of great abil- 
ity and influence and a part of his life was spent in Mississip- 
pi. The writer is indebted to the Baptist Encyclopedia (page 
156) for the following sketch: Rev. William C. Buck, "sonof 
Charles Buck and Mary Richardson, was born August 23, 
1790, in Shenandoah (now Warren) county, Va. His 
father was a farmer in good circumstances, and gave him 
such advantages as were common in those days, which did 
not satisfy his desires for a thorough education. He told his 
father that he would relinguish all claim on his estate if he 
would send him off to a good school for one year, but his 
father was not willing to make any distinction as to education 
among his children. While a boy he read all the volumes of 
the 'British Encyclopaedia/ and some of them more than once, 
by firelight, besides such histories and scientific works as he 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIS1 PREACHERS. 




.<m LI procure from 
a public library of 
which his father 
was a shareholder. 
His thirst for 
knowledge was 
great that he con- 
tinued to improve 
himself until in 
middle age he ac- 
quired such an ac- 
quaintance with 
( ireek a ml H e- 
brew languages as 
enabled him to 
read the scriptures 
in those languaj 
w i t h pie a s u r e . 
For some years he 
WILLIAM CALMES BUCK, D. D. was occupied in 

farming, which he relinquished t<> give himself entirely to the 
Christian ministry, and joined the Water Lick Baptist church, 
Va., in his seventeenth year. He commenced public speak- 
ion after, but was not ordained until 1S12. He then 
became pastor of the church of which he was a member. 
A .1 lioutenant in the United States army in the war of 
[812. Moved to Union county, Ky., in 1S20, where he 
had the care <>! several churches and resided for a short 
time in Woodf or d county. During all these years his time 
was filled with most laborious missionary work. He moved 
t<» Louisville in [836 and assumed the pastorate of the First 
church; he soon resigned the care of it, and, with a tow othe- 
rs, formed the East church, to which he furnished a house 
and preached until it was able to sustain itself. He was 
editor <>t the Baptist Banner and Western Pioneer during 
most of his residence in Louisville. He was elected secre- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 93 

tary of the Bible Board of the Southern Baptist Convention 
at Nashville, Tenn., May, 185 1, in which position he continued 
until called to the pastorate of the Baptist church, Colum- 
bus, Miss., March, 1854; he continued in this position until 
May, 1857, when he accepted a call to the Greensborough 
church, Ala. The next year, 1858, he served the church 
at Selma, Ala. In the fall of 1859, having moved to Mar- 
ion, Ala., he commenced the publication of the Baptist 
Correspondent, but after two years it was suspended by the 
events of the war, and he went to the Confederate army as a 
missionary, laboring wherever he thought he could be most 
useful. In 1864 he located at Lauderdale Springs, Miss., as 
Superintendent of the Orphans' Home, and also had the care 
of the Sharon church, Noxubee county, Miss., till he removed 
to Texas in 1866. He had not the care of any church in 
Texas, but continued to labor for the Master by word and pen 
as long as health permitted. He died at Waco, Texas, May 
18, 1872. He was an earnest worker in all the enterprises of 
the denomination. Gifted by nature with a ringing, power- 
ful voice, fluent speech, and a retentive memory, he was 
unsurpassed as a platform speaker. He was often elected 
vice-president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He pre- 
pared and published 'The Baptist Hymn-Book',' 'The Philos- 
ophy of Religion,' and 'The Science of Life.'" 

Joseph Buckles. The following sketch of this excellent 
preacher of Jesus Christ is prepared entirely from an extend- 
ed notice published by Rev. J. H. Gambrell in the Baptist 
Record, of December 28, 1893: Joseph Buckles was born in 
Louisiana, March 5, 1840. He was a student at Mississippi 
College when the Civil War began, and immediately volun- 
teered for active service. He was a brave soldier and 
soon became lieutenant. After peace was declared he entered 
upon the practice of law, in which profession he gave prom- 
ise of splendid success; but God wanted him as an embas- 
sador for Christ, and yielding to a well defined conviction of 
duty he was ordained to the work of the ministry, at the 



94 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 




JOSEPH BUCKLES. 



request of Hopewell 
church, Franklin connty, 
July 21, 1878, the pres- 
bytery being composed 
of Revs. E. C. Eager, W. 
W. Bolls and J. Jasper 
Green. His first mar- 
riage was to Miss Mary S. 
Baldwin, March 5, 1863; 
and his second wife, who 
survives him, was Miss 
Sallie E. Douglass, to 
whom he was married 
October 20, 1880. Six 
children was the fruit of 



each marriage, eight of whom are now living. 

Rev. Mr. Buckles was a man of far more than ordinary 
ability, and with his reserve and modesty would have risen 
to marked prominence and distinction. He was a close, pains- 
taking student, who always had the Word clearly fixed in his 
own mind and heart before he attempted to impart it to oth- 
ers. He thoroughly believed in "the story of the cross," and 
could intelligently tell others why he believed it. A man of 
strong convictions and courage he would, had he lived in the 
days of the martyrs, have gone to the stake rather than sur- 
render his convictions. 

In the pastorate he attained to marked success, consider- 
ing that he was compelled to cultivate his farm for a living, 
study at night during the week, and preach on Saturday and 
Sunday. "It is a severe statement," says Mr. Gambrell, 
"but it is terribly true, the churches to which Bro. Buckles 
preached helped to shorten his useful life by their failure to 
support him as the scriptures required them to do." 

He left with Mr, Gambrell messages to three classes of 
persons to be used on the occasion of his burial, and then 
published. They are these: (1) To the unbelieving: 
"Do not wait until you are sick to get ready to die. I have 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 95 

been on this bed about three months. A great deal of the 
time I have not suffered acutely, but I do not believe there 
has been a day during the whole time I have been sick, when 
my mind was in a condition to seriously and intelligently 
make preparation for eternity. My mind has been clear all 
the time, but my candid conviction is, if I had waited until 1 
got here to make peace with God, I would not, could not have 
done it, and my soul would have been lost. The young peo- 
ple (some of them not Christians) have been very kind to 
come and see me and wait on me. If the Lord will give me 
strength for a last exhortation, I want to talk to them on this 
subject before I leave the world. Tell sinners everywhere 
my last message of love to them is, don't wait until sickness 
overtakes you to get ready for eternity; and may the blessed 
Lord use this message to bring many souls to Christ and 
heaven." (2) To brethren in the ministry: "Be faithful in 
dealing with the everlasting Word. Give yourselves wholly 
to the work of the ministry. Study to show yourselves 
workmen approved of God. Do not make the mistake I have 
made— undertake to make your living aside from preaching 
the gospel. 'The Lord hath ordained that they who preach 
the gospel shall live of the gospel.' Oh, that I had observed 
this plain order of God! Require your churches to give you 
a support and God will be honored. I am sure because my 
physicians tell me so, that my life, worth something to my 
wife and children, if not to the world, has been shortened 
several years by the double burdens I have allowed my 
churches to force me to carry. I would not have another 
minister to make the mistake in this matter that I have and 
suffer for it as I have and am suffering. With deep sorrow I 
say it, I feel that I have (though not wantonly) dishonored 
the Lord, and the churches have been injured. I have been 
injured, my wife and children have been wronged, and the 
cause of the dear Savior has been dishonored. My wife and 
children I am sorry to leave. But," (and he turned his face 
to the wall and wept, something unusual for him), I cannot 
speak of them now. I commit them to the Divine Father." 



96 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

During his entire illness this troubled him seriously. Other 
preachers are laying for themselves the same trouble for the 
same reason this good man feared. (3) To the churches: 
"Be loyal to the Word of the blessed Lord. Take care of 
your pastor as the Lord requires you to do. I am about to 
leave the world. I have in my heart no bitterness toward 
any person or church. My heart is filled with love for every 
one. But many of you are not treating your pastors right 
before God. You are not supporting them. The Lord re- 
quires you to do this. You are disobeying God, who re- 
deemed you with the precious blood'of His Son. Your pastor 
came to you tired, dull and uninteresting. He has been at 
manual labor since you saw him last. He does not instruct 
you and your children. He cannot, as he desires. You have 
the remedy in your own hands. God placed it there. 
Do these things for your pastor and there will be a change. 
First, give him a support. Assure him of this beyond all 
doubt. Second, pray for him. Do this in his presence and 
in his absence. Third, defend his good name if necessary, 
never allow any one to criticise him. Don't allow his influ- 
ence to be injured if you can prevent it. Don't criticize him 
before others. If you think he is wrong tell him and help 
him to get right, or let him help you to get right. Call a 
preacher, not a farmer or busines man, for pastor, and make 
the conditions so you can get the very best there is in him. 
Let the churches of God be governed by the Word of God." 

Having said these things one week before his death, he 
folded his thin hands over his bosom and said: "I am ready 
now to depart and be at rest when the blessed Lord calls me." 
Like a brave warrior, he drew his mantle about him and went 
to sleep. ' His death occurred near Casey ville, Lincoln county, 
November 12, 1893. 

"He was a devoted husband and father, a true friend, a 
safe counsellor, a useful citizen, the friend of every good 
cause and the implacable foe of every evil thing. He was as 
brave as a lion for the right, but as timid as the most timid 
c hild to do the wrong. He was in the best sense of the term 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 97 

a great man; a symmetrical Christian character. He rests 
from his labors, but his works follow him. May the messages 
he left to the world promote the cause he loved so well." 
The funeral sevices were conducted by Rev. J. H. Gambrell 
in the Philadelphia church of which he was a helpful member 
and for eleven years the faithful pastor. He selected as the 
tex*t for the occasion these words: 'I would not live always.' 
Job 7:16; as also the hymns. An immense concourse was 
present to pay tribute to his memory. ' Blessed are the dead 
who die in the Lord.' — J. H, GAMBRELL." 

S. Buffkin. Of this excellent minister, who labored long 
in the Union Association the following mention is made in the 
Minutes of the Baptist State Convention of 1878: Rev. S. 
Buffkin died December 20, 1877, after about twenty years 
real service in the work of the ministry; most of this time was 
spent in Southwest Mississppi, where one, if not more, of his 
churches had enjoyed his earnest, faithful and successful 
labors as their pastor for sixteen years. Rev. Mr. Buffkin, in 
early life, enjoyed but limited educational advantages. He 
had, however, by close application, trained himself to think, 
and possessing a great deal of originality in connection with 
indomitable energy and great earnestness, he thereby became 
an able and efficient minister of Jesus Christ — a tower of 
strength to the denomination in Southwest Mississippi, where 
for many years he presided as moderator of the Mississippi 
Association. He was a true friend of missions, which he 
evinced on many occasions by his earnest eloquent and touch- 
ing appeals in their behalf, as well as by his liberal contribu- 
tions. He was always generous to a fault. Only those who 
knew him best are prepared to appreciate his loss to the 
denomination. He was modest and retiring, always desiring 
to hear rather than to be heard, especially in our general 
meetings. We therefore feel and mourn his loss, but are 
confident that our loss is his gain. 

John W, Buie "went to his final rest about the middle of 



98 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

July last (1844). He was a young man of great promise, of 
ardent and deep toned piety, which was exhibited in the 
entire consecration of himself to the best interests of Ziori. As 
a student in college, as a teacher of youth, as a preacher of 
righteousness, and as a member of this convention, he 
developed powers of mind of no common order, and gave cer- 
tain indications of still greater usefulness. While pastor «of 
the Baptist church at Jackson, he was greatly beloved, and it 
was confidently hoped he would, by his indefatigable labors, 
greatly elevate the cause of the Redeemer in that city. But 
he is gone! and while we deeply deplore the loss of so valua- 
ble a life, let us not forget to pray the Lord of the vineyard to 
send forth other laborers to build up the wast places of Zion." 
— Minutes of State Convention, of 184$. The Convention 
Board say of him: "The beloved Buie, who had just entered 
the threshold of the great work of the gospel ministry, and 
who was among the hosts of God at our last Convention, is 
now sleeping in the cold and silent tomb. Brother Buie was 
a young man of devoted piety and tine talents; possessing a 
finely cultivated mind, ami hie in his disposition, courteous in 
his manners, he bid fair to shine as <>ne of our brightest stars. 
But God, in his mysterious providence, has seen proper to 
remove him, and let us bow with submission and say, -Thy 
will be done.' " 

David Ewing Burns. Our purpose in drawing the 
portraitures of the departed preachers is, as far as we may, 
to make them speak some concentrated and emphatic life- 
word — some embodied and illustrated life-lesson, which will 
be heard and heeded and felt. The record of a man's birth 
day or his death day is of no point further than it marks the 
boundaries of the field of his toil. How he toiled, what were 
his struggles, his defeats and victories, how he influenced the 
age in which he lived and how far he accomplished it — these 
are the biography, the life picture of the man — these stamp 
him, these distinguish him, and like the echoes of the psalms 
of life, they linger in the valley when he who gave forth the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 99 

melody has passed beyond the hill. While our purpose in 
these sketches is to bring before the present generation the 
lives of those grand old pioneers who scattered the seeds of 
truth through wintry fields of the great West, we shall in this 
number introduce a man of more modern stamp and circum- 
stances. Like a varying tone in melody, it may heighten 
the harmony, or in the groupings impart the interest of va- 
riety. Born in Indiana, just above Evansville, in 1822, he 
passed his young life in a region about as wild as any portion 
of the West. His parents had removed from the neighborhood 
of Russell ville, Ky., to that sparsely settled portion of Indi- 
ana called "The Pocket." 

David E. Burns died in Memphis, Tenn., in November, 
1870, pastor of the First Baptist church of that city, and the 
most popular public speaker in the Southwest. He was over 
six feet high, of almost faultless form and proportions. With 
a finely developed head and handsomely cut features, his 
whole presence was attractive and impressive. It cannot be 
doubted that a man's physical development has much to do 
with a man's power as a public speaker. We know that we 
at once associate with our ideal of an orator, commanding 
height, majestic aspect and graceful movement. With the 
general mind, at least, physical beauty and power arrest and 
command, if they cannot convince. Burns, beyond most 
men, has this great advantage. His massive frame was 
clothed with a superb muscular system, a generous smile 
played on his handsome face, a graceful, though -howy, if not 
pompous, gesticulation accompanied his delivery. He won 
his audience before he spoke a word. Added to these, he 
possessed a distinct though not a musical voice. It was, 
indeed, rather husky. He spoke too fast. His modulation 
was imperfect. You often felt desirous that he would break 
down and talk to you awhile, and that some soft intonations 
would relieve from the continuous roll of the almost monoto- 
nous current. But every word was distinct. Not a sound 
or a syllable was lost. You could not but hear. There is a 
power in this not often heard of — this distinctiveness which 



100 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

demands no effort from the hearer to catch the word at once. 
Burns possessed this power in a very high degree, and as you 
sat beneath the lava-like stream of burning words poured 
down from that grand form of his, you were swept on, often 
without a thought and frequently without an impression that 
would last, but always pleased and excited. His father died 
when David was still quite young, and he had to work on the 
little farm, and often had to drive the ox-team with the cord- 
wood to Evansville or the steamboat landing in order to assist 
in supporting the family. In a word, his early education was 
almost entirely neglected, and ?t the age of nineteen he 
could read pretty well and write very badly. Full of life and 
overflowing with frolic, he was the leader in every coon hunt 
and bran dance, and the life of every corn shucking and log 
rolling — marked events in that day and in that region — ever 
ready with a song and a joke. And thus the team driver 
and rail splitter of "The Pocket" of Indiana grew up to man- 
hood without culture and without aim. But there comes a 
period in every man's history which affects tht course and 
color of his lift- stream. The current rushes on headlong, 
until some obstruction, some opening, some accession, meets 
it. It dashes over the rocks, or flows around them, and be- 
comes either a brilliant cascade, or quiet lake, perchance a 
stagnant pool, or, without the gathered impetus, a current 
wildly sweeping. It is an epoch, a crisis, in the individual's 
history. Ambition, or love, or business, or bereavement, or 
temptation, awakens thought, directs the mind in upon itself, 
discloses for the first time that life is real, that it is a lone 
sea, which he must navigate for himself. Ever after life is 
changed to him. To David Burns this crisis was one of 
blessing. It seems that he- crossed the Ohio to Owensboro, 
Kentucky, to see about a situation as a stage driver on the 
line from that place to Louisville. A meeting was then in 
progress in the neighborhood. He attended it. It was con- 
ducted by Rev. Alfred Taylor, a man of great simplicity and 
zeal and usefulness. From under his ministry more preach- 
ers have gone forth than from that of any man on the Ohio; 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. IOI 

and among them J. C. Coleman, Revs. Howard, Allen, 
Veach, Bennett, Barns and others: if we mistake not, Yea- 
man and Dawson. Under the searching preaching of this 
pious man, the wanderer was impressed, convicted, sought 
conversation and prayer, and finding peace in believing, was 
baptized in the waters of Green river. This was in 1842, 
when he was twenty years of age. A new life burst upon 
him; strange and stirring thoughts and half formed purposes 
thronged his soul; latent fires, of which before he knew 
nothing, began to burn within him, and wondrous aspirations 
came leaping from his now illumined heart. He gave up all 
idea of being a stage driver. He returned home to his pious 
mother to tell her "the Lord had met him in the way," and 
that the light of mercy had dawned upon his soul. There 
was joy in the little log home that night. David Burns was 
not the man to be inactive. He at once took part, whenever 
opportunity afforded, and prayed in public, and exhorted. 
Quite an interest was awakened in the neighborhood, and a 
revival of religion followed in the little church a few miles 
from his mother's home. T. J. Fisher, the revivalist, was 
holding one of those characteristic revivals of his at Har- 
dingsburg, Kentucky, about six months after the time of 
David's conversion. Having heard of this, David crossed the 
river and made his way on foot to the meeting. Fisher was 
in the height of all his peculiar glory, scattering "star-dust" 
in the eyes of the astonished hearers, or pouring streams of 
sulphurious flames into their ears. Burns listened to him 
with enthusiastic admiration. The wild beauties, the extrav- 
agant imagery, the resounding pomp of words and scraps of 
sublime poetry, captivated the soul of the young man, in 
whose heart were burning the fires of a far nobler and 
truer orator. Burns became at once the disciple and follower 
of Fisher. The result could not have been otherwise. We 
trace it almost everywhere. The manners, the excellences 
and the faults of a popular preacher in any region will be re- 
produced in a greater or a less degree, in all the young min- 
isters that grow up around him. The copying may be done 



102 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHER^. 

unconsciously, but, it is surely done. Far better had it 
been for Burns had he never heard Fisher. A life-time did 
not serve to overcome the faults caught from the model. 

David E. Burns preached his first regular sermon at 
Hardingsburg, in the presence of Rev. Mr. Fisher. The effect 
of the sermon was astonishing. It was long remembered by 
all who heard it. He was thought to excel in beauty and fervor 
the "great revivalist" himself. His character as an orator 
was made. He was dressed in home-made jeans. We have 
heard him tell it. His clothes did not fit him. His sleeves 
were too short; he seemed to have grown out of them, and a 
seam ripped while he was preaching. The next day he was 
fitted by admiring friends with a suit of broadcloth, and the 
awkwardly dressed youth — such was his grace of form and 
movement — was at once transformed into what seemed a 
dandy — an elegance of person that astonished as much as his 
sermon had done. After preaching some time through that 
section, he was set apart to the ministry by Revs. T. J. Fisher 
and Garrett. Friends induced him to spend some time in 
Georgetown College, Ky. He remained there scarcely a 
month, and comparing HowardMalcom with T. J% Fisher, and 
a regular course of theology with Collier's Lectures on the 
Flood, Headley's Sacred Mountains, and Pollock's Course of 
Time, he turned his back on colleges forever; saying, "he 
would hoe his own row, and not sit three years on hard 
college benches hatching out fuzzy ideas." And hoe his own 
row he did. He had the native power and courage to do it. 
But with his strong intellect and marked genius, had he pur- 
sued a regular course of training in his early life, we think it 
not exaggeration to say that he might have een a Chalmers 
or a Hall. The direction of his ministerial life was taken at 
this point. It was his second crisis. Had he, like Williams, 
been thrown upon himself with Bible and a few theological 
books, and surrounded by preachers ever raising theological 
questions; had he been associated with Vaughn, or Harding, 
those Bible students, Burns would have become a theologian 
or polemic. But he was called to take charge of the church 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 103 

in Henderson; was thus thrown among the lovers of light liter- 
ature, and with the oratory of Fisher as his model, he became 
what he ever remained — one of the most attractive and pop- 
ular public speakers. Of course at his age, with the expecta- 
tion he aroused, it was difficult to hold an audience long. He 
continued about a year in Henderson, and then was invited 
by the church in Russellville to become its pastor. Here, 
though exceedingly popular with the young people, he could 
not furnish food for the staid and thinking minds of the church, 
and at the expiration of six months or thereabouts, he removed 
to Paducah, Ky. At this period of his ministry another change 
came over his mode of thought and manner of preaching. 
Hitherto he had preached without manuscript. His sermons 
were, to a great extent at least, committed to memory. He 
.made a visit to Nashville, Tenn., and assisted Dr. Howell in 
a protracted meeting. The doctor read his sermons and ad- 
vised his young friend to do so. Ever after he wrote out at 
length, but committed almost completely to memory all his 
sermons. This habit became so confirmed that unless the 
manuscript was before him, though it might be thoroughly 
committed and he had no need to refer to it he could not ven- 
ture to preach. Few men ever made less use of a manu- 
script when before them, and yet few men were more dependent 
upon it. He prepared his sermons with as much excitement 
as he delivered them. He would walk the room speaking his 
sentences aloud, and then, under this enthusiasm, would sit 
down and pen these sentences thus composed, in a hand no 
one could read but himself. He became in his early ministry 
very familiar with the poets. His sermons were ever richly 
interspersed with appropriate, quotations- from classic authors, 
and he would render these quotations with a force and correct- 
ness that would delight and thrill. He remained in Paducah, 
Ky., three years; the house up to the very last was crowded, 
and his popularity remained unimpaired. Intimately associ- 
ated with him while in this field of labor, we marked with 
admiration his steady growth in all the graces and powers of 
oratory. But we could not but see that the lower strata of 



104 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

men's hearts were not reached, and the plow and the harrow, 
as well as the seed and the sunshine were necessary for the 
full harvest. In 1859 he was called to take charge of the 
Beal Street church, in Memphis, Tenn., to succeed the solemn 
and venerable Peter Gayle. The house was unfavorably 
located and the social influence of the church was limited, and 
Burns was entirely unknown in the city, but at once the house 
was thronged to overflowing, with the youth and fashion of 
the city. We think we can say without extravagance that 
there was no man in the South that could attract and hold the 
audiences that he did. A year of wonderful success in large 
congregations, with some additions to the church followed, at 
the expiration of which he was called to take charge of the 
church at Jackson, Miss. He left Beal Street church about 
as he found it, with the added difficulty that they could find 
no one who could fill his place. 

At Jackson the same cheering results attended his labors, 
but here, as elsewhere, there was the lack of that simplicity, 
so necessary in a successful minister, and a growth of literary 
toil, of lofty imagining and attractive oratory. This was in 
1852. He was now thirty years of age. He was still unmar- 
ried. He seemed to have resolved to continue so. A friend, 
a member of his church, had gone northward with two moth- 
erless girls to spend the summer, and returning was seized 
with cholera at Cairo, and died, leaving the young ladies with- 
out a protector. The young pastor on hearing this sad 
calamity, at once took a boat and on reaching Cairo found 
the orphans overwhelmed with sorrow. He accompanied them 
home. His heart, as magnanimous as ever beat in human 
bosom, was touched and won by the loveliness of sorrow, and 
the elder of the daugthers, Tillula Slaughter, became his 
wife. A happy home and three lovely children crowned this 
union. And the same spirit of joyousness and kindly mirth 
that gave life to the scenes of his boyhood in Indiana, shed a 
radiance over the elegant home of his manhood in Mississippi. 
He became possessor of a fine plantation near Canton, Miss., 
and took charge of the flourishing church at that place. Six 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 10$ 

or seven years, up to the breaking out of the war, he contin- 
ued his relation to the church while at the same time he was 
considered one of the most successful planters in that vicinity. 
His preaching grew more earnest. Having met in debate 
Rev. Mr. Caskey, of the Reformation, in which he was said 
to have signally triumphed, his mind was directed as it had 
never been before, to doctrinal investigation and discussion. 
He was at that time the leading minister in the State of Mis- 
sissippi. He was for years moderator of the State Convention. 
He did much in the establishment of the college in Clinton, 
and was always ready to aid in any great denominational 
enterprise. His wealth increased. His health was mag- 
nificent. All seemed to crown his life with glory. But the 
winds of war came howling by, and one unforeseen calamity, 
and then another and another, and' ruin was written over all 
his worldly possessions. He emerged from the war penniless. 
And yet he never murmured because of his changed circum- 
stances. He never murmured at his condition. In 1866 he 
was unanimously called to take charge of the Coliseum Place 
church in New Orleans. Everything there was in a fer- 
mentive state. He felt cut off from the association of min- 
isters to which he had been accustomed, and which he greatly 
enjoyed. He did not like the place. He was not successful 
here. 

A call to the First Baptist church of Memphis, by his old 
friends and admirers was promptly accepted. The writer of 
this, by special request, preached what was called his wel- 
come sermon, on his inauguration as pastor of that church. 
Dr. Graves followed with the charge. It was hearty and joy- 
ous. We had labored together in early life. We hoped to 
finish our labors together there in the city. For never did the 
writer associate with a minister for whom he felt a warmer 
attachment, a closer brotherly love. For three years his path 
as pastor of the church was one of ascent. A growth more 
rapid than had marked any period of his previous life was 
evident. The burning fervor which characterized his early 
ministry now gleamed upon the surface of massive thought. 



106 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

And he held, as with giant grasp, the largest audiences that 
assembled in that city. There was still wanting the simple, 
earnest persuasion, which is the true eloquence of the gospel. 
His sermons were measurably deficient in what might be 
termed experimental disclosures of the heart's trials and 
struggles. He seemed to shrink from any relation of his own 
feelings. He never seemed to arouse the deeper feelings of 
his audience. With this there was little of exposition in his 
ministrations and an inaptitude to apply the truth to the con- 
dition of his hearers. He would point to the mountain truth 
that rose in majesty before his mind, until you beheld it 
bathed in splendor. But he would seldom hurl its rocks down 
upon you, or make you tremble lest it might crush you. His 
preaching was objective rather than subjective. It presented 
that which was around you and above you rather than that 
which was within you and immediately concerned you. Use- 
ful in Memphis he was, not only in the general impression 
produced, but individual conversions; and yet, when you con- 
templated his popularity, his attractive eloquence, his devo- 
tion, the manly graces and virtues, which made all who knew 
him love him, you could not but ask why is he not more use- 
ful? Why not greater results in bringing souls to Christ? 
He would ask the question himself. The answer is, to a 
great extent, the turn in his life current at Hardingsburg, the 
model after which his early ministry was moulded, and the 
demand for attractive eloquence in the towns in which he first 
locaied. The first Sunday in November, 1870, he preached 
one of his most glorious sermons at the convention in Trenton, 
West Tennessee, on the text, "Go forward."- He returned 
to the city on Tuesday following. The evangelist, Rev. A. 
B. Earle, was preaching at the Central Baptist church. He 
rode with the writer to call on Mr. Earle on Tuesday. An in- 
disposition that had followed him through the week, confined 
him to his bed on Friday. The next Tuesday he was dead. 
We watched his last breathings with emotions never to be 
forgotten. His last articulate words were: "I have trusted 
n Jesus for thirty years. I can trust him still." That mag- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



107 



nificent form now moulders in the dust. The noble spirit re- 
joices with the Lord 

The funeral discourse was preached by Rev. T. C. Teas- 
dale, D. D. Text, "To die is gain." Phil. 1:21. It is said 
he preached to the largest concourse that ever assembled in 
the First Baptist church of Memphis, Many eulogies were 
passed upon him by the city press and pulpit. But he heard 
them not. — Ford's Christian Repository, St. Lotus, Mo., 
August, 1 87 1. 

Rufus C. Burle= 
son, D. D.,LL.D. 

It has been a mat- 
ter of doubt as to 
whether in these 
pages there should 
be mention of 
brethren so slight- 
ly connected with 
our work in Mis- 
sissippi as was Dr. 
Burleson. But as 
he was ordained 
in the State and 
spent two years 
in it the following 
is given: 

Rufus C. Bur- 
leson, "son of Jon- 
RUFUS C. BURLESON, D. D., LL. D. athan Burleson, 
was born near Decatur, Ala., Aug. 7, 1823. He was con- 
verted on the 21st of April, 1839, and baptized the following 
Sabbath by Rev. William H. Holcombe. 

"While a student in Nashville University in 1840 he 
abandoned his aspirations for legal eminence, and from deep 
convictions of duty devoted his life to the ministry. He was 
licensed to preach December 12, 1840, by the First Baptist 




Io8 /MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

church of Nashville under the pastoral care of Dr. R. B. C. How- 
ell. He commenced preaching immediately, though only seven- 
teen years old, but did not relax any of his devotion to 
study." He was ordained in Starkville, June 8, 1845, "with 
prayer and fasting." 

In a letter to the writer, April 25, 1881, Dr. Burleson 
says: "I was a member of the Columbus Association two 
years and preached the missionary sermon in 1845; and was 
appointed to write the Circular letter for 1846, but was in the 
Theological Seminary at Covington and the manuscript failed 
to reach the body. I shall never forget the two years spent 
in your Association. My first pastorships were at Mayhew 
Prairie, Pilgrim's Rest and Lebanon, east of Columbus." 

"He graduated in the Western Baptist Literary and The- 
ological Institute. Covington, Ky., June 10, 1847. During 
all these seven years of laborious preparation for the ministry 
he preached almost every Sunday, and scores were converted 
under his preaching. A few months after graduating he was 
elected pastor of the First Baptist church at Houston, Texas, 
to succeed the great and good man, William M. Tryon, who 
had died of yellow fever. During the three and a half years 
of his pastorate the church became self-sustaining, paid off a 
heavy mortgage, became the largest in the city, and the most 
liberal in the State. His zeal, learning, piety, 'and eloquence 
placed him in the front rank, and for more than thirty years 
he has acted a conspicuous part in every social, religious, and 
educational enterprise in Texas. Though attacked by yellow 
fever he stood firmly at his post. 

"He was elected, June, 1851, president of Baylor Uni- 
versity, to succeed Dr. H. L. Groves, Though ardently de- 
voted to his church at Houston and peculiarly fitted for the 
pulpit, he felt the glory of Texas and the success of his 
denomination demanded a great Baptist university, hence he 
consecrated himself to the work. Though he had the hearty 
co-operation of such eminent men as Gen. Houston, Gov. 
Horton, Judges Lipscombe, Wheeler and Baylor, he knew it 
was a herculean task that would require a long life-time. At 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 109 

once Baylor University became one of the leading institutions 
of the South, and continues so until now. 

"While pastor at Houston he baptized Mrs. Dickenson, 
the heroine of the Alamo, and while pastor at Independence 
he baptized Gen. Houston, the hero of San Jacinto. In 1861, 
he, with his brother, Dr, Richard Burleson, and the entire 
faculty associated with him in Baylor University, removed to 
the city of Waco and inaugurated Waco University. This 
institution at once rose to distinction. Dr. Burleson is a firm 
believer in co-education, and is the pioneer in the great move- 
ment' in the Southwest. He has instructed over twenty-eight 
hundred young men and ladies. 

"Dr. Burleson's characteristics are fixedness of purpose, 
amiability of manners, generosity and courage. From these 
characteristics it is not strange that every church of which he 
has been pastor, and every college over which he has pre- 
sided has prospered. His advice and co-operation are fre- 
quently sought on educational questions in Texas." — Baptist 
Encyclopedia, page 164. 

In a published letter to his friends, August 7, 1894, Dr. 
Burleson says: "By a miracle of mercy I have Jived to see 
every college and every college president in Texas forty-three 
years ago linger and die. Yet, by the grace of God I still live, 
am vigorous and strong; have not had the headache in fifty 
years; I work every day from seven o'clock in the morning 
till midnight, except thirty minutes for each meal and thirty 
minutes' siesta after dinner each day. I am as full of life, 
hope and anecdotes as sixty years ago; and, if God wills, have 
a lively prospect not only of out-living all the colleges and all 
the college presidents of forty-three years ago, but to outlive 
the Nineteenth Century and look down upon the Twentieth 
Millenial Century of the world. Only one college president, 
Dr. E. Nott, of Union College, New York, has ever held the 
office of president as long as I have." 

S. Busby. Of this minister we have been able to secure 
very little information. He was ordained to the full work of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



the ministry at Mount Pleasant church, Wayne county, Miss., 
June 3, 1877. The presbytery consisted of Revs. C. H. 
Baine and Steven Hilborn. He has had charge of four 
churches. If still living he does not reside in Mississippi. 

David Burney was born 
in Holmes county, Miss., 
February 19, 1837. His 
parents being anti-mission- 
ary Baptists he never heard 
a missionary Baptist preach 
until he was nearly grown. 
His father did not think 
that boys and girls needed 
much education and there- 
fore did not give his son 
any advantages for secur- 
ing one, so that all the ed- 
ucation he has was obtained 
after he was twenty-one 
years old. At the age of 
twenty-four he was mar- 
DAVID BURNEY. ried but his wife lived only 

one year. He remained single two years and was married 
the second time to Miss M. E. Sims, November 1, 1864. He 
joined the New Hope Baptist church, Atlanta county, in Au- 
gust, 1866. This church belonged to the Kosciusko Associ- 
ation. He was baptized by Rev. W. W. Nash. He was 
formally licensed to preach by his church soon after and was 
invited to become its pastor. On account of limited educa- 
tion and the support of a growing family he declined to 
accept this pastorate. After much hesitation and unrest of 
mind he was at last convinced of his duty to enter the full 
work- of the ministry and in 1875 was ordained in the Provi- 
dence church, Kosciusko Association, The ordaining presby- 
tery were Revs. T. Y. Roland, and John Ray. This 
church called him to its pastorate and the next year he was 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. Ill 

invited to the pastorate of Doty Springs church. Misfortunes 
came upon him and he gave up the active work of the minis- 
try until 1883, when brethren A. H. Booth and W. H. H. 
Fancher came to him and lifted him up again in spirits and 
urged him to go forward in duty. In 1884 he again went into 
the pastorate and served four churches during the year. In 
this year's work he traveled three thousand miles besides 
making a crop. The next year, 1885, he moved into the 
territory of the Louisville Association. During this year he 
taught school and served four churches in the pastoral rela- 
tion. During the past eight years he has served weak 
churches as the missionary of the Convention Board in the 
Kosciusko and Louisville Associations. During the year 1893 
he was abundant in labors, serving six churches, besides filling 
regular appointments at two school houses. Three of these 
churches are in the Kosciusko Association, two in the Ches 
ter Association, a new body formed in 1892 by churches from 
the Louisville, and one in the Louisville Association. In this 
work he traveled on horseback two thousand miles and 
preached a great many sermons. He is this year (1894) en- 
gaged in similar work in the same section of our State. 

David Burney, while not a thoroughly educated man, is 
taught in the scriptures, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, 
laboring with great zeal. He has been eminently useful. 
Many have been converted under his ministry. He honors 
God and God honors him in blessings upon his labors. 

J. C. Butts moved to Mississippi and settled in Choctaw 
county, near Belief ountaine, in 1836. He professed conver- 
sion and united with Fellowship church, Choctaw county, in 
1838. Very soon after this he was strongly impressed with a 
conviction of duty to preach the gospel, and was duly licensed 
by his church to engage in such work. After several years 
he was ordained to the full work of the ministry by this 
church, in about the year 1842. He was invited to the pas- 
torate of Fellowship church and for a number of years served 
this and several other churches in the Zion Association. On 



112 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

March 12, 1840, he was married to Miss E. C. Morris. Four 
children were born to this couple; and Mr, Butts is said by 
one who knows to have been a good husband and a kind 
father 

In March 1862, as a loyal man and patriot he volunteered 
and raised a company of which he was elected captain. 
Several months later he and his company were mustered into 
the service of the Confederacy, and formed a portion of the 
Thirty-first Mississippi Regiment. He resigned the command 
of the company during the same year and returned home to 
his family, satisfied that it was his first and great duty in life 
to preach the glorious gospel of Christ, and that his sword was 
not carnal but spiritual and mighty through God to pulling 
down the strongholds of Sata'n. 

Mr. Butts was a fine scholar, an excellent preacher, a 
good and true citizen, and a man much beloved by all who 
knew him. His wife is dead and his children have all moved 
from the State. He passed to his great reward through death 
in the year 1863 or 1864, greatly honored and loved. 

* 'Soldier of Christ, well done, 
Rest from thy loved employ; 

The battle fought, the victory won, 
Enter thy Savior's joy." 

Luther Rice Burress, the youngest of the four children 
of Thomas and Sarah A. Burress, was born in Anderson coun- 
ty, S. C, October 26, 1842. His father was a successful plan- 
ter of the ante-bellum days. He was a man of great physical 
strength, and force of will, a born ruler, and easily managed all 
who came in touch with his interests. His mother, nee Sarah 
A. Berry, possessed superior mental endowments and was 
faithful in all the relationships of life. She was abundant in 
good works in life, .rich in grace in her death, which occurred 
in 1869. Both parents became Baptists in early life. With 
their family they settled in Prentiss county, Miss., January, 
1851, where the father still lived in November, 1893, in good 
health, and well preserved mental powers in the eighty-sixth 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 113 

year of his age, still suc- 
cessful in agricultural inter- 
ests. The four children are 
living and are members of 
Baptist churches. All of 
them were baptized by 
Rev. Lewis Ball, of Clin- 
ton. 

L. R. Burress was con- 
verted and baptized in the 
thirteenth year of his age 
into the fellowship of Mount 
Olive Baptist church, Pren- 
tiss county. He attended 
the country schools, which 
were of the primitive kind. 
One of the teachers was 
persuaded to teach geogra- 
LUTHER RICE BURRESS. phy which he did with re- 

luctance. Luther was the first and only student under this 
then progressive teacher, and his text books were Smith's geo- 
graphy and an atlas. After the history and definitions were 
learned a map lesson was assigned, with the injunction that in 
studying the map the pupil must always face the north. This 
study was continued only until "Montgomery, the capital of 
Alabama," was reached. Here the teacher, who had lived in 
Alabama and knew that Tuscaloosa had been the capital and 
not knowing that it had been moved, contradicted the text- 
book, saying: "I lived in Alabama and I know Tuscaloosa is 
the capital, and 1 never heard of Mont-go-me-ry." The study 
of geography thus abruptly ceased because the teacher's con- 
science was against teaching a book which taught falsely. 

Eight months before the Civil War Luther was entered 
as a student of Union University, Murfreesboro, Tenn., hav- 
ing attended some schools of a higher standard than the one 
just mentioned. These months immediately preceding the 
G ivil War, were attended with so much excitement that 



114 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

school life was dwarfed and the martial spirit was magnified. 
The university closed its doors and the boys went home to en- 
list in the army which was being hurriedly organized, many of 
them being fearful that the strife would be ended before they 
reached the tented field. 

Young Burress enlisted in the first company organized at 
Baldwyrr, with W. H. H. Tison captain, which became Com- 
pany K., of the Nineteenth Mississippi Regiment, whose first 
commander was Col. C. H. Mott. J. W. Burress, an older 
brother, was first sergeant. L. R. was a private. As the 
company was about ready to leave for the Army of Virginia, 
the mother said: "My sons, go with me one more time to the 
bower of prayer." Under an old apple tree in the garden the 
three bowed in the presence of the Lord. The mother said, 
like Hannah of old: "Lord, I received these, my sons, as a 
loan from Thee. 1 have trained them the best I could for 
Thee. I taught them to love Thee and their country. Their 
country calls them to battle. Oh, Thou God of battles! keep 
these, my sons, through the dangers that are to come. And 
may Thy hand-maiden, though unworthy, see Thy salvation 
in the safe return of these sons. When the smoke of battle 
shall pass away and Thou keepest them in Thy service until 
in peace they return may they follow on and be among the 
redeemed in Jesus' name. Amen!" The comfort and safety 
that were born in the boys' hearts, of this prayer, the con- 
sciousness of deliverance when destruction seemingly stalked 
around, found their rest in "the exceeding great and precious 
promises" of Him who said to another mother: "Go thy 
way, be it unto thee even as thou wilt." 

Doubly shielded the two sons went. They endured. 
They returned. A mother's prayer, was followed by praise; 
her sorrow by joy. Mr. Burress has been requested to write 
his war record. He may do it for the gratification of imme- 
diate friends. He was in a number of pitched battles and in 
many engagement, and never lost but one drop of blood and 
never surrendered but once and that was at the close of hos- 
tilities. So that he can say that he "fought, bled," and fled 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 1 1 5 

for his country. He was captain of a company of boys under 
conscript of age for more than a year and a half before the 
close, and these boys were as brave as any who wore the 
gray. His brother likewise held rank as captain in quarter- 
master's department, and is yet (1894) favorably known as 
Capt. J. W. Burress, of Baldwyn, Miss., a merchant, farmer 
and deacon of the Baldwyn Baptist church, using the office 
well. 

In the latter part of the Civil War young Burress met 
Miss Annie L. Ball, to whom he early proposed marriage. 
After quite a romantic courtship his proposition was accepted 
and they were married by Dr. W, L. Slack, of Pontotoc, at 
the home of Maj. N. M. Berry, of Pontotoc county. The 
marriage was early in life and the result of mutual attach- 
ment. She remains, says Mr. Burress, an exception to the 
old rythm: 

"Woman is a prize when fiercely sought, 

Loses her charms by being caught." 
Together they rejoice and witness the truth of Tupper: 

"Those that early love each other 

Are like the olive and the vine." 

"The world was all before them 

And Providence their guide." 
The bride was the youngest daughter of Rev. Martin 
Ball, whose labors in the ministry were so abundant both in 
South Carolina and Mississippi. 

In the midst of the new order of things in the South im- 
mediately after the Civil War, the soldiers, in the universal 
wreck, turned to the rebuilding of their homes, unconquered 
but over-powered, with the same enthusiasm that sustained 
them in the struggle. Mr. Burress farmed and taught school 
until 1866, when Mount Olive church, of which he and his 
wife were members, licensed him to preach. In the following 
year the church, after due consideration called him to ordina- 
tion. Immediately he was invited to the pastorate of this 
church, and in this office he has continued since, except the 
year 1876, when the church released him that he might serve 



Il6 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

as Centennial agent for Mississippi College. During this year 
he frequently spoke to immense audiences, many of whom 
would follow to the next appointment. Mount Olive church, 
of which he is now (1894) pastor, with no thought of chang- 
ing, has been and continues a strong-hold of Baptists. More 
than five hundred have been baptized by Rev. Mr. Burress 
for this church, the elder sister of many churches. He has 
served as pastor for almost all of the churches in reach from 
his home. He has preached continuously since he was 
licensed, supplementing his salary between farming and 
teaching. The "many irons in the fire" have at times been 
too cold to hammer. He pleads innocent of the charge of 
"letting them burn." He says that he has a limited reputa- 
tion, but has that which is better, the consciousness that he 
lives in the affections of the people he has served with from 
boyhood. He and his faithful wife still live and are the 
happy parents of eight children and two grand-children. 

Rev. Mr. Burress is ardent in his attachments; indul- 
gent to all; ready and anxious to make reparation for the 
slightest wrong. In youth he was ambitious, but that was 
soon resolved into an earnest principle to be found in simple 
consciousness of duty, a desire to provide for a growing fam- 
ily and be faithful in the stewardship of time and talents. 
He says: "If I can but be instrumental in preserving but one 
soul, his blessings and joys of salvation shall be sufficient con- 
solation to me for the loss of earthly fame. 'I count all 
things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ 
Jesus my Lord.' " 

W. R. Butler was born in Rankin county, Miss., in 1828. 
His father, L. C. Butler, was a native of Kentucky, born 
April 14, 1800, and his mother, who was Elizabeth Burns, 
was born in North Carolina in 1806. They were married in 
Wayne county, Miss., in 1822, and had nine children, of 
whom W. R. Butler was the third in order of birth. Mr. 
Butler was a planter who located in Rankin county, in 1828, 
and moved thence to Scott county, in 1831, remaining there 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 117 

until 1856, when he removed to Texas. W. R. Butler re- 
ceived a common school education, then read theology and 
became a preacher of the Baptist church in 1849. He taught 
school for some years in Scott county, Miss., and for seven 
years he held the position of county superintendent of the 
public schools, resigning in 1882. He was married in August, 
1854, to Miss Julia E. Long, of Hinds county, Miss., who has 
borne him twelve children: Eugene H., married; Laura E., 
wife of W. E. McGee; Edward J., married; and Hiram J., 
Mary E., William L., George L., Lucy E., Anderson S., Alice 
M., Eula B., and Julia, all unmarried. George L., Eugene 
H., and Hiram J., received a good high school education, 
principally at Harperville College. Mr. Butler has done long 
and effective work in the ministry, and has been quite suc- 
cessful as a planter, owning three hundred and sixty acres, 
of which about sixty-five acres are now under cultivation. 
He is a member of the Masonic order, and is, in every sense 
of the word, a useful and progressive citizen, and one who is 
highly respected by all who know him. He has for sixteen 
years been moderator of one of the largest Baptist associations 
in the State, and is now one of the oldest citizens in Scott 
county in point of citizenship, having lived in said county 
nearly sixty years. — Memoirs of Mississippi, pp. 474, 475. 

Mr. Butler has served for a number of years as mission- 
ary of the General Association of Mississippi and in this 
capacity has been quite useful and has done an excellent 
work. His life is one of integrity and irreproachable upright- 
ness and he is universally esteemed as a good man He still 
lives (Nov., 1894,) and his present address is Lake Como, 
Miss. 

Alexander C. Caperton, D. D., "was born in Jackson 
county, Ala., Feb. 4, 1831. His early childhood was spent 
on a farm in Mississippi, whither his parents had removed. 
He received the rudiments of an education in the common 
schools of his neighborhood, and afterwards taught school to 
procure the means for entering Mississippi College, where he 



Il8 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

graduated in 1856. He then went to Rochester, N. Y., and 
in 1858 graduated in the theological seminary at that place. 
He returned home and accepted a professorship in Mississippi 
College. During the Civil War he engaged in farming as a 
means of support for his family, but did not desist from 
preaching. He was once pastor of the Grenada church. At 
the close of the war he was chosen pastor of the Chelsea 
Baptist church, Memphis, Tenn., and was subsequently sta- 
tioned at Mayfield, Ky., and Evansville, Ind. In 1871 he be- 
came co-editor, and soon after sole editor and proprietor of the 
Western Recorder, a leading Baptist weekly paper, published 
at Louisville, Ky. He is also (1881) editor and proprietor of 
the American Baptist, a paper published at Louisville, for the 
colored people, and has established a book and publishing 
house in Louisville. In addition to these labors, Dr. Caper- 
ton preaches several hundred times a year, and is an active 
member of the missionary and Sunday school boards of his 
denomination in Kentucky." — Baptist Encyclopedia, page 181. 
Dr. Caperton still resides in Kentucky, but has sold the 
Western Recorder, and lives on his farm and preaches to 
neighboring churches. 

William T. Carroll, a native of Pickens county, Ala., 
was born of pious Methodist parents, in 1852. As they were 
poor he failed to receive an education. He says that he grew 
up a wild and reckless boy. At the age ot sixteen he left his 
parents and launched out in life alone. In 1869 he found him- 
self in Texas, where he married in 1873 and immediately re- 
turned to Mississippi. In 1877, during a meeting at Chestnut 
Grove church, Louisville Association, he was converted and 
baptized by Rev. N. Q. Adams, into the fellowship of that 
church. "From that hour," he says, "I wanted to tell sin- 
ners what a Savior 1 had found," but because of felt disquali- 
fications for such a work he tried to reason that conviction 
away. But it "would not down," and he says: 

"The more 1 strove against its power, 

1 felt its weight and guilt the more." 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



119 



After the usual conflict between the claims of duty and 
the desires of the natural man he yielded, and, in 1878, was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry at Chestnut Grove 
church by Revs. N. Q. Adams and W. A. Edwards, as the 
ordaining presbytery. During his ministerial life up to 1884, 
which has been almost exclusively within the Louisville Asso- 
ciation he had baptized about one hundred and twenty per- 
sons. In 1880 his labors were greatly blessed as the mission- 
ary of that association. In that year the brethren of that 
body determined to educate him, but these plans were brought 
to nought by the serious afflictions of his wife. 

Now, ten years later, (1894) Mr. Carroll still labors 
within the bounds of the same body and has been instrumen- 
tal in leading many more souls to Christ. He has baptized 
many during these ten years. 



B. H. Carroll, 

D. D. Of this dis- 
tinguished and 
stalwart man of 
God, who first saw 
the light on Mis- 
sissippi soil we 
give only the brief 
sketch in the Bap- 
tist Encyclopedia , 
page 186. "Rev. 
B. H. Carroll, 
pastor of the First 
Baptist church, 
Waco, Tex., and 
associate editor of 
the Texas Baptist, 
was born Decem- 
ber, 1843, in Car- 
roll county, Miss.; 



has been in Texas about twenty years; served four years in 




H. CARROLL, D 



120 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the Confederate States army; was wounded in the battle of 
Mansfield, La., 1864; was converted in the summer of 1865, 
and ordained in 1866. He was educated at Baylor University. 
Besides many published sermons and addresses, he is the 
author of two pamphlets, 'Communion from a Bible Stand- 
point,' and 'The Modern Social Dance,' which have attained 
a wide circulation both in and out of Texas. He has been for 
years vice-president of the Baptist General Association of 
Texas, and is the vice-president from Texas on the Domestic 
Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is 
one of the first preachers of his age in the Baptist ministry of 
the Southern States." 

This sketch from Cathcart was published in 1881. Since 
that time thirteen years more have been added to Dr. Car- 
roll's pastorate in Waco, which have been years of growth in 
influence and power, not only in Waco but throughout Texas. 
During last year he conducted revival services in his church 
during which the entire city was stirred religiously as never 
before. During these services the following incident oc- 
curred, as published in the papers: 

"A Singular Dream: In the midst of a revival in 
progress in the First Baptist church, Waco, Tex., Rev. B. H. 
Carroll, the pastor, was taken very ill. He relates that the 
night he was attacked, he dreampt that Satan was about to 
shoot him, when the Lord appeared and forbade him shooting 
him elsewhere than in the foot. He awoke with a pain in 
that member, and told the singular dream to his wife. Morn- 
ing disclosed a pimple on the instep. This proved to be ery- 
sipelas, that came near costing him his life. He called his 
leading members to his bedside and exacted a promise that the 
revival should be kept up. They were true to their promise, 
and the doctor is again on duty leading the fight on that old 
serpent, the devil, that shot him in the foot. In his delirium 
his talk was all about his unconverted sons. Another son 
jotted this down and mailed it to his brother in Austin, who 
had left Waco to avoid the meeting. The letter and a sermon 
the doctor had given the boy led to his and an infidel compan- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



121 



ion's conversion. He sent the letter and sermon to his 
brother in another city, and they were the means of his con- 
version. The two sons and the infidel companion came to 
Waco, united with the church and are now rejoicing in salva- 
tion, 

"Here is a concatenation of providences. Satan shot 
Dr, Carroll in the foot, and disabled him in the midst of a 
great revival, and hoped to break up the meeting. It led to 
the conversion of the doctor's wayward sons — a result dearest 
to his heart; he is up again, and with redoubled courage at- 
tacking the strongholds of the enemy. Verily, the devil is a 
poor general when the Lord commands the forces on the 
opposite side." 



William Hooker Car= 
roll, D. D.. was born in 
South Carolina, April 14, 
1827; and was raised and 
educated in various 
schools in Alabama, 
spending three years at 
Howard College. While 
in college he was em- 
ployed by Dr. Barron, 
Mrs. Barron and Mrs. 
Wylie to preach to their 
servants on their planta- 
tions. A continuous re- 
vival was experienced for 
many months, resulting 
in numbers of conver- 
sions. The Siloam Bap- 
WILLIAM HOOKER CARROLL, D. D. tist church, Marion, Ala., 
sent a committee with him to receive these people for bap- 
tism. Early in the day the work of hearing Christian ex- 
periences began and continued until late in the afternoon 







' 


"x ; ' ' 



122 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS- 

when forty-nine had been accepted for baptism. The com- 
mittee never had had such a prolonged and gracious religious 
experience. Many of the converts were young, between 
twelve and twenty years, but seemed to talk by inspiration 
of Jesus the Savior and what he had done for their salvation. 
When the committee reported the result of their work the 
church requested a presbytery to ordain Mr. Carroll to the 
full work of the gospel ministry, that he might baptize these 
parties — the fruits of his own labors. 

On December 14, 1853, after due and critical examina- 
tion he was ordained to the ministry and his credentials sub- 
scribed to by Henry Talbird, M. P. Jewett, Joseph Walker 
and John S. Ford, the ordaining presbytery. Soon after leav- 
ing college he was invited to ah important pastorate in a 
town which had great educational interests connected with it, 
but he declined the work and preached to churches in the 
country and villages for several years with marked success, 
baptizing many each year. Among these churches were Mt. 
Zion, Fayetteville, Columbiana, Montevallo, Burnsville and 
Autaugaville, all in Alabama. He went into the armies dur- 
ing the Civil War as evangelist of the Southern Baptist 
Convention, and, with Gen. R. E. Lee's permit to pass the 
camps, he moved among the soldiers distributing religious 
papers, preaching day and night where and whenever he 
could make chances. He was forced from this work in about 
a year for want of health, after baptizing nearly one hundred 
soldiers. He succeeded Dr. J. B. Hawthorne, in the pastorate 
at Greenville, Ala., taking in sixty-five members, more than 
half of them by baptism in one year. 

After this Dr. Carroll had a very successful pastorate at 
Union Springs, Ala., baptizing good numbers each of four 
years. One week's service in each month was given to Sar- 
dis church near by where twenty-five were baptized one 
year. For a year the time was equally divided with Troy 
where there had not been a baptism for five years. Near 
seventy were received into the church there, about forty-five 
by baptism. Union Springs had a regular growth of about 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 123 

ten to fifteen a year by baptism and the usual complement by 
letter. Early in 1872 he entered on the work of the pasto- 
rate with the church at Opelika, Ala. The increase within a 
year was one hundred, nearly half by baptism. During 
other three years many were brought in by different ways. 
After resigning at Opelika he preached to churches in the 
vicinity and in revival meetings with a good measure of 
success, frequently baptizing converts. 

The Executive Board induced him to become evangelist 
of the Tuskegee Baptist Association, and this work was 
laboriously prosecuted with tolerable success for a time. He 
was president, of the Tuskegee Association (Ala.) from 1868 
to 1878. In Alabama he preached ordination sermons for 
Rev. W. A. Mason, and Prof. Dix of Mary Sharpe College, 
and other special sermons. He taught successfully and was 
president of tho Board of Trustees of the School District of 
Opelika, Ala. He was often called upon to solemnize the 
rites of marriage and officiate at burials. Often for one hun- 
dred days he preached consecutively twice each day nearly 
all the time. 

In 1878 Dr. Carroll accepted an invitation to the pasto- 
rate of the church at Brenham, Texas. Of this pastorate the 
Daily Sentinel, of Brenham, says: "Rev. Dr. W. H. Carroll, 
pastor of the Baptist church at this place for the past twenty- 
two months, resigned his pastoral charge several weeks ago, 
but said resignation was not acted on by the church until 
yesterday. After considerable manifestation of reluctance on 
the part of the church, Dr. Carroll's resignation was accepted 
to take affect at once. Dr. Carroll was called to this place 
in February, 1878, from Opelika, Ala. His first sermon here 
was on the first Sabbath in March, 1878. At that time he 
found about one hundred and fifty regular attending members. 
During the time of his service here there has been a gain of 
about sixty new members; making in all now attending the 
church about two hundred members. Dr. Carroll has been 
very zealous and faithful in the discharge of his duties as pas- 
tor. He has a wife and one daughter, both highly educated 



124 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

in church duties, and are of vast practical service to him in 
the exercise of his ministry. We are not informed as to the 
future movements of Dr. Carroll, but can say he is eminently 
qualified to do a vast amount of good wheresoever he is called. 
He has many warm friends here and we will heartily con- 
gratulate the place and the people into whose midst his future 
destiny may be cast." 

A correspondent of the Texas Baptist Herald says: 
"Brenham Baptist church is again without a pastor. Rev. 
W. H. Carroll, who has been its pastor for near two years 
past, tendered his resignation, which was accepted on last 
Sunday. * * * Bro. Carroll is a live spiritual preacher. 
The church that procures him as a pastor or preacher will be 
doubtless blessed. Sister Carrofl is an acquisition to any 
church or community. She is skilled in music, and the use of 
the instrument and possessed of rare talent for teaching." 

Dr. Carroll took charge of the chur.ch at Longview, 
Texas, in February, 1880, to preach half the time with the 
hope of building up a strong church, but for good reasons soon 
resigned to take effect in November. Services here were 
generally good and full of interest, and he hopes much good 
will yet result from them. In eight revival meetings running 
through ten consecutive weeks, during the summer and fall 
of 1880, he preached one hundred sermons inducing a few 
lectures with good results. 

The invitation to their pastorate of the Macon and Sharon 
churches brought Dr. Carroll and his family to Mississippi in 
February, 1881. He entered upon his work with these two 
churches 1st of March, 1881. The church in the little city of 
Macon owns a comfortable pastor's home, furnished at least in 
part. Here the pastor lived and divided his time equally with 
Macon and Sharon churches, some twelve miles apart. In 
this pastorate Dr. Carroll was again successful, receiving 
many members, building up the membership and becoming a 
recognized force in the city. He made many friends there in 
whose hearts his memory is still green. 

.In the latter part of 1883 cr early in 1884, Dr. Carroll 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 125 

accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the church at Sena- 
tobia, Miss., and moved there with his interesting family. His 
great zeal and earnest preaching soon attracted the attention 
of the community. His labors here as elsewhere were blessed 
of the Lord in the conversion of sinners and edifying of the 
church. He grew in usefulness, was abundant in labors and 
had a strong hold on the community. He always gave atten- 
tion to Sunday school interests and has ever had good schools 
connected with his pastorates. He has ever been too laborious 
and active to do any writing, but has written some for several 
periodicals. 

Near the close of his second year's pastorate, in Novem- 
ber, 1886, he heard the Master's voice bidding him, "come up 
higher," and he fell asleep in Jesus. We write these lines in 
the "study" of the church where his voice was heard as 
pastor, and sit almost in sight of the necropolis where rest his 
mortal remains. While still pastor of the Senatobia church he 
passed into his everlasting reward. 

His wife, Mrs. J. L, Carroll, still lives in Senatobia, and 
during these years since her husband's death has been the 
popular music teacher of the town. His daughter, Miss The- 
odore (now Mrs. Reynolds), is a lady of remarkable musical 
talent, and for a number of years was musical director in the 
popular school of Miss Higbee, in Memphis, where she com- 
manded a fine salary, and was also organist of the Central 
Baptist church. June 21, 1894, she became the wife of Mr. 
Joseph Reynolds, a wealthy merchant of Memphis, and her 
home is now in the Bluff City. 

J. R. Carter was born in Lawrence county, Miss., April 
27, i860, of humble parentage. His early training was 
meager. At the age of fourteen he attended a ten month's 
session at Bunker Hill, Marion county. This, with six two- 
or three-months summer schools, constituted his educational 
advantages until he was grown. He was raised on a farm 
where he made a constant hand between the ages of eight 
and twenty-two. 



126 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

During the last three or four months of his minority he 
had frequent and increasing desires for an education; but 
when he thought of the utter inability of his parents to edu- 
cate him his aspirations would die in hopelessness. In the 
fall of 1 88 1, after harvesting the first and only crop he had 
ever made for himself, he resolved to improve his education. 
Accordingly he entered the school at Bunker Hill and spent 
about fifteen months in study in that school. Two years 
earlier he had been converted and baptized, religion was a new 
experience to him, he could not well understand its language, 
but for several months of this school term he found himself 
struggling against an impression to preach. He was not in 
rebellion, but could not feel persuaded that he was, or ever 
would be, fit to preach the gospel. This impression grew 
stronger until there were outward manifestations which led 
thoughtful brethren to suspect the presence of such an im- 
pression, though these suspicions were never mentioned until 
later. While in the worst of this struggle Rev. J. G. Chastain 
came as a messenger of God and approached him on the sub- 
ject, asking if it was his purpose to preach. After a moment's 
confusion at such a question from a comparative stranger he 
replied that he had thought much about it but could not feel 
that he was fit for so sacred a work. He said: "If you felt 
that you were fit in yourself I would have no faith in you. A 
sense of unfitness is a recommendation to you." Rev. Mr. 
Chastain then told of his own call to the ministry in which young 
Carter detected many points of resemblance to his own feel- 
ings, and was in this way greatly helped to a decision. 

At the same time Rev, Mr. Chastain suggested that he get 
right off to Mississippi College, and set aside difficulties as 
rapidly as Mr. Carter could mention them, until at length he 
simply begged for time to think over the matter and promised 
to decide the question in one week, but before the dawn of 
the next day his consent was gained to preach and to go to 
college also, although the way was dark before him. 

On Sept. 25, 1883, he entered Mississippi College. 
Ebenezer church, Covington county, of which Mr. Carter was 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 1 27 

a member, learning of his purpose to preach, formally gave 
him license Oct. 6, 1883. Rev. R. R. Turnage, his pastor, 
did then, and has all the while given him great encourage- 
ment. By rigid economy in dress and diet, and by doing his 
own cooking, he remained three-fourths of this session in col- 
lege with only seventy-five dollars to begin with. During 
three months of vacation he taught a summer school which 
yielded him seventy-five dollars more; with which he again 
entered college in the fall, having become much interested in 
his education. He went back to his "own hired house" and 
by again doing his own cooking and doing extra jobs of work 
he was enabled to remain three-fourths of this session also. 
During the next vacation he undertook a book agency in 
which he failed of success and was compelled to. miss the fol- 
lowing session of the college. He taught a school of eight 
months at Bunker Hill; and during this time was invited to 
the pastorate of the churches at Bunker Hill, Cedar Grove 
and Silver Creek. His own church, Ebenezer, arranged for 
his ordination and he was there ordained to the full work of 
the ministry February 6, 1883. He continued to preach to 
these churches until Sept, 1886. At the close of the term of 
his school at Bunker Hill he was able to enter college the next 
session. He remained there the greater portion of three ses- 
sions in succession. During his last two sessions he preached 
for the churches at Terry, Learned, Chapel Hill and Salem, 
all in Hinds county. He left college in the summer of 1889 
and located at Learned and preached to the church there and 
at Madison Station, a new organization. 

In 1890 he entered the Southern Baptist Theological 
Seminary, where he feels he spent two of the most profitable 
years of his school life. During his last session at the Semi- 
nary a field of labor was opened for him, with Columbia, 
Marion county, as headquarters. This field he entered July 
1, 1892, and has since that time been preaching with success 
to the churches at Columbia, Bunker Hill and Cedar Grove, 
Marion county, and at Society Hill and Hebron in Lawrence 
county. He is greatly esteemed in his work. 



128 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

J. li. Carson. From the History of Columbus Association, 
published in 1881, the following brief note of this eminent man 
and excellent preacher is copied: "J. H. Carson, for several 
years the loved and honored pastor in Columbus, winning for 
himself in the entire community the enviable reputation of 
able minister and consecrated pastor, is a man of great faith 
and refused to receive any stipulated salary but trusted in 
God to meet the wants of his family. Feeling it to be his 
duty he gave up his church and went to Tennessee to engage 
in general evangelistic work but more recently went to Sher- 
man, Texas, to become pastor and is now in that work." 
Later than this Mr. Carson became pastor at Rosston, Texas, 
where his earnest preaching accomplished much good. In 
1888 we find him located at Texarkana, an important city on 
the Arkansas and Texas line. In 1890 he became pastor of 
the church at Arkadelphia, Ark., and in 1891 located at Rus- 
selville, same State. In 1892 he became pastor at Forrest 
City, Ark., where he remained, abundant in labors, until 
1894 or latter part of 1893. He is now (1894) the efficient 
pastor of the church at Athens, Texas. The writer of these 
pages will ever feel a deep interest in the life and work of Dr. 
Carson, for, while he was the honored pastor of the Columbus 
church, he delivered the sermon on the occasion of his ordina- 
tion to the full work of the ministry, in the Starkville Baptist 
church, fifth Lord's Day in January, 1871. May these latter 
years of his ministry be crowned with the richest of divine 
blessings and success. 

L. J. Caughman was born in Edgefield county, S. C, 
August 8, 1849, and removed with his parents to Smith 
county, Miss., in 1858. His parents were Lutherans and 
instilled that faith in his heart while young. But on hearing 
a missionary Baptist preach and after reading the scriptures 
and asking God's help to understand them he was converted 
to the faith and practice of Baptists, having before become a 
trusting believer in Christ. 

He was married to Miss Elizabeth Jarneison, January 23, 



. MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 129 

1866; and was baptized into the fellowship of Sharon Baptist 
church, Smith county, by Rev, N. L. Clark, August 20, 1871. 
Shortly afterwards he was ordained deacon in the church and 
served in that capacity two years. On 27th of August, 
1878, having had convictions of duty on the subject, he was 
formally'licensed to preach the gospel and exercise in public. 
He preached his first sermon the fourth Sunday in the follow- 
ing September. By request of Leaf River church he was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry February 14, 1880, 
to become pastor of that church. The ordaining council was 
Revs. N. L. Clarke, M. E. Manning, and James A. Hitt. 
The same year he was invited to the pastorate of another 
church, also to assist his pastor, Rev. N. L. Clarke, in the 
pastorate of the Sharon church. In the following year he 
was invited to the pastorate of four churches, in the mean 
time spending a while in school at Burns and a short while at 
Trenton, Smith county, which did him much good. 

The next year he became pastor of six churches, preach- 
ing to some of them in the week. During this year he was 
also elected treasurer of Smith county, and held that office 
four years. While demanding only a small portion of his time, 
this office was a great help to him in the support of his family. 
At the expiration of four years he wisely declined to become 
a candidate for re-election. In order to meet the demands of 
a support he has been obliged to give some time to farming, 
and recently has been employed as clerk for three days of 
each week in a co-operative store at Burns in which he holds 
some stocK. Rev. Mr. Caughman is held in the highest esteem 
throughout his section of the State, as a Christian gentleman 
and an earnest minister of Jesus Christ. His pastoral services 
have been in demand, and since the second year after his 
ordination he has been pastor of from- four to six churches, 
some of them being at distance of thirty miles from his home. 
During his ministry, up to December, 1893, ne had baptized 
four hundred and ninety persons, assisted in the organization 
of six churches, in the ordination often preachers and twenty- 
eight deacons, has married eighty-one couples, and assisted in 



130 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



building eighteen church houses. During one year of his 
ministry he was employed by the Executive Board of the 
General Association of Mississippi as missionary to preach at 
destitute points within its bounds, and during that term of 
service baptized nineteen persons. He is now a member of 
New Liberty Association which has been organized* in Smith 
county since the writer's visit to Springfield Association in 
1886, which in that year met with Goodwater church, Smith 
county, of which Rev. Mr. Caughman was pastor. This 
New Liberty Association has thirty-one churches and an 
aggregate of more than two thousand in membership. The 
whole membership is in Smith county except one church. 
Rev. Mr. Caughman is the honored president of this new 
Association. 



W. P. Chapman was 

born at Cato, Rankin coun- 
ty, Miss., July 26, 1851. 
His parents were Allen F. 
Chapman and Eliza Chap- 
man and were of Methodist 
proclivities at the time of 
this son's birth. The fath- 
er is still a member of that 
organization and is in his 
eighty-fourth year. The 
mother united with the Bap- 
tist church at Cato in 1867. 
At the age of thirteen young 
Chapman became a Meth- 
odist, rather was received 
W. P. CHAPMAN. "on probation," but was 

never received in full connection. He was baptized into the 
fellowship of Cato Baptist church in October, 1867, by Rev. 
Daniel Giddings. He has a brother, L. T. Chapman, who is 
a licensed preacher. Young Chapman was married in early 
life, 1870, to Miss Cordelia Perry, who still lives to help and 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 131 

encourage him in his work. To this couple fourteen children 
have been born, four of whom have joined the great com- 
pany beyond the silent river. Mr. Chapman moved to East 
Rankin county in 1871 and united with Union Baptist 
church of Christ; but in the fall of the same year, with thir- 
teen others, he went into the organization of Rock Bluff 
church, in Smith county, and was ordained one of its first 
deacons. In this capacity he served ten years, but during 
that time was formally licensed to preach. In January, 1882, 
he was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry, by 
Revs. S. J. Hitt and Z. T. Faulkner as the ordaining council 
or presbytery. He was immediately invited to the pastorate 
of different churches, entered into his work with great energy 
and has been serving from three to five churches ever since. 
His education is limited, never having attended any school 
except the common country schools until 1891 and 1892, 
when he attended during one term the Minister's Institute at 
East Lake, Birmingham, Ala. But he is a diligent student of 
the best books, a number of which he has in his home, such as 
certain works of Spurgeon, Graves, Pendleton, Dayton, Clark, 
and Matthew Henry. With such scholars a man is in excel- 
lent company and will receive much help. During the year 
1893 Rev. Mr. Chapman's work was in the pastorate of the 
churches of Concord, Antioch, Rock Bluff, Shady Grove, and 
Galilee. The membership of these churches number in all 
about four hundred and fifty members. As the writer re- 
members Rev. Mr. Chapman at the Springfield Association, 
in 1886, he is an earnest, progressive man, desiring to make 
out of himself and his churches the best possible laborers in 
the Lord's vineyard. He says: "The Lord has blessed me 
far beyond my most sanguine expectations, for which I bless 
His holy name." 

Bailey E. Chaney, "a pioneer Baptist preacher of Missis- 
sippi, removed from South Carolina, about 1790 and settled 
near Natchez. During the persecution against Curtis and his 
companions, Chaney concealed himself. When the territory 



132 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

was transferred to the United States the people assembled in 
large numbers, a brush arbor was constructed, and Rev. Bail- 
ey E. Chaney was sent for, and while the flag of the United 
States floated over him he preached the gospel of Christ un- 
awed by the minions of Rome. In 1798 he visited the Amer- 
ican settlement near Baton Rouge, in Louisiana, and preached; 
but being arrested, he obtained release by promising to preach 
no more. After this he returned to Mississippi and labored 
there until his death, which occurred about 1816." — Baptist 
Encyclopedia, page 200. 

Mr. John G. Jones, in Protestantism in Mississippi and 
the Southwest, has this interesting note of this early preacher: 
; 'Bailey E. Chaney was a licensed preacher, and probably 
preached the first sermon in Natchez after the Spanish gov- 
ernment was superceded by that of the United States. Soon 
after the Spaniards left, the Americans erected a large brush 
arbor and supplied it with a temporary pulpit and seats, and 
invited Rev. Mr, Chaney to preach them a sermon under the 
'Stars and Stripes,' which he did to an immense congrega- 
tion- While we cannot accord to our Baptist brethren the 
honor of establishing the first Protestant church in the Natchez 
country — that having been done, as we have seen in a previ- 
ous chapter, by the Congregationalists — we cheerfully accord 
to them the honor of establishing the second, and of preach- 
ing the first sermon here under the United States govern- 
ment." Page 50. 

James Garvin Chastain, fourth son in a family of ten 
children, son of E. J. and Susana Chastain, was born in Itta- 
wamba county, Miss., Dec. 18, 1853, and brought up on a 
farm. At the age of nineteen he entered the High School at 
Jacinto, Alcorn county, Sept. 1, 1873, and continued there 
two years. He was converted in a Methodist meeting at 
Jacinto, Sept. 21, 1873, and when he returned home (a dis- 
tance of forty miles) to spend the Christmas holidays, he 
joined Hopewell church, and was baptized in Briar Creek 
by the pastor, Rev. James Frank Benson, Dec. 21, 1873. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



133 




JAMES GARVIN CHASTAIN. 



He was licensed to preach 
April 18, 1874, and ordain- 
ed to the work of the minis- 
try June 17, 1875, Revs. 
James F. Benson, Elias 
Chaffin and Joseph S. Stock- 
ton forming the presbytery. 
After teaching in the coun- 
try about fifteen months, 
some money had been sav- 
ed, and he entered Missis- 
sippi College, at Clinton, 
Miss., Sept. 27, 1877, and 
was graduated (A. B.) 
June 23, 1882, at the same 
time taking the first honors 
and delivering the valedicto- 
ry address of his class. After supplying the Baptist church at 
Port Gibson for the summer, he entered the State University, 
at Oxford, Miss,, Sept. 28, 1882, and in June, 1883, he received 
diplomas in the schools of Engineering and Metaphysics. Six 
years of confinement and study were beginning to tell on his 
health, so he became missionary pastor in Marion and adjoin- 
ing counties in South Mississippi, In two years about two 
hundred people were added to the churches where he preached. 
The Columbia church was doubled during his two years' pas- 
torate. Entering the Seminary, at Louisville, Ky., Oct. 1, 
1885, he graduated in the full course May 31, 1888, and 
was appointed as missionary to Mexico, June 6, 1888. Re- 
maining awhile at Saltillo, Bro. Chastain had an opportunity 
of looking into our Madero Institute of that city. He wrote to 
the Western Recorder as follows: 

"The past week has been busily occupied at Saltillo with 
the final examinations of Madero Institute. They were pub- 
lic, and were attended mainly by the patrons of the Institute, 
also the faculty and students of the male college. Gov. 
Ganza Galan was present a part of the time. He and others 



134 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

competent to judge expressed themselves as highly pleased 
with the thoroughness of the work done in the Institute. A 
large crowd was present last night, November 12, to witness 
the commencement exercises. 

"The programme consisted of essays and recitations, in- 
terspersed with music (vocal and instrumental). The young 
ladies acquitted themselves with credit, much to the gratifi- 
cation of the great audience who expressed their appreciation 
by frequent and hearty applause. The occasion was a fine 
advertisement for the school. Though it has been in exist- 
ence only four years, it is widely known throughout the Re- 
public of Mexico, and receives patronage from the best fami- 
lies in the country. 

"Owing to various hindrances only sixty-five students 
were enrolled the past session. The number will be greatly 
increased the coming year, as the school is better equipped 
than ever before, and is rapidly growing in public favor. Its 
graduates are greatly in demand as teachers. Sixteen have 
gone out in various directions, and they are as so many self- 
supporting missionaries, who are doing a pioneer work which 
is in most instances beyond the reach of the preacher. They 
get a hold on the children, and through them the mothers. 
In this way the very foundations of Romanism are being 
shaken. The great and perplexing problem has been, 'How 
shall we reach the mothers of Mexico?' It would be hard to 
overestimate the great work Madero Institute is now doing. 
We regret exceedingly that Miss Mary Tupper's resignation 
has been tendered, hence she will not return to Mexico. Bro. 
Powell remarked the other day: 'I know of no preacher who 
can do more good in Mexico than Miss Mamie Tupper.' 

"Rev. A. C. Watkins and wife have recently been ap- 
pointed, and we expect them in a few days. He has been 
assigned to Musquiz. Bro. Rudd is located at Paras, and is 
starting off finely. We hope he will re-e7iforce that mission 
in a few months. Last week Bro. Powell and I visited 
Matehula, which is a hundred miles south of Saltillo. It has 
twenty-two hundred inhabitants, and is one of the most 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 135 

beautiful cities in all Mexico. I am more and more pleased 
with the country and people. The outlook is flattering. — 
J. G. Chastain." 

On his way to Mexico Rev. Mr. Chastain met Miss M. 
Lillian Wright, a native of Nausemond county, Va., who had 
been appointed as missionary to Mexico, and was on her way 
to her future field. The acquaintance rapidly ripened into 
friendship and then into love, and on the 20th of November, 
1888, they were united in the holy bonds of matrimony and 
located in Matehula. The above is given from Dr. H. A. 
Tupper's book, iS A Decade of Missions." 

To give a picture of Mr. Chastain's energy in his mis- 
sion work the following letter from him is given here: 

"Rev. L. S. Foster, Dear Brother:— Your letter came 
weeks ago and was duly appreciated. In a pigeon hole 
labeled 'unanswered mail,' I find it this morning, with a num- 
ber of other letters coming from different states asking for 
missionary news from the field. I have just returned from a 
seventeen days' ranch trip, having traveled, perhaps, four 
hundred miles, preaching nearly every day, distributing tracts, 
selling Bibles, etc. I will give you a brief account of my 
recent tour. 

"Owing to my severe illness last November I was unable 
to reach our Association. Though absent, the brethren hon- 
ored me by electing me director of the Theological Institute 
for native preachers, which has two meetings of two or three 
days each year, in connection with the two Baptist Associa- 
tions in Northern Mexico. Having previously appointed an 
institute to be held at the close of the business of the Nuevo 
Leon Association in the city of Cadereita, beginning March 
20, every arrangement was made and the day appointed to 
start; but being unavoidably detained three days, the greatest 
speed had to be made to reach the Association before its 
adjournment. Jumping into my little dogcart behind a fresh 
horse, I struck out up a long valley shut in by two mountain 
chains. The second morning I ate breakfast seventy-five 
miles from home. Here I leave my cart and start horseback 



136 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

northeastward across the mountains. I have a very congenial 
traveling companion in the person of a Mexican youth whom 
I baptized some months ago and who is now employed as a 
Bible agent. Coming to the main chain of the Sierra Madre 
we cross over, leading our horses up one side and down the 
other. We now leave the great table-land of Central Mexico, 
traveling eastward toward the Gulf of Mexico, going down, 
down, down, until we enter tierra caliente (hot country). The 
dreary and wintry mountain scenery is exchanged for green 
fields, growing corn, beautiful orange orchards; the same tree 
being adorned with white flowers, green fruit and luscious 
golden oranges ripe to the falling. In some orchards bushels 
of ripe fruit lie on the ground, yet untouched by the harvester. 
''Entering the head of a remarkable canyon, we wind our 
way down it thirty miles, crossing thirty-five times a dashing 
little river which is hastening onward, apparently with lim- 
ited time, toward the Gulf. Owing to the long, bad road, my 
horse and 1 are both thoroughly jaded when we reach Mate- 
morelas the fourth day, a distance of about one hundred and 
seventy-five miles from home. I telegraphed the moderator of 
the Association to expect me by the next train. Having 
rested my tired and feverish body by a good night's sleep, the 
following morning, armed with my blanket and a pair of red 
leather saddle-pockets, containing a change of linen, some 
Spanish Bibles and tracts, the manuscripts of some theological 
lectures, etc., I started for the train. As I am neither a king, 
congressman, nor capitalist, but a poor Baptist missionary, I 
boarded the third-class car. This car has three long parallel 
benches, two on the sides fronting each other, and one through 
the middle, all extending from end to end of the coach. Taking 
my seat about midway the car, I soon began to talk to those 
near me; first about things in general, the weather, then the 
God of the weather, the Bible, etc., in the mean time pulling 
out a Bible, quoting and reading many proof-texts, promises 
and precepts. Owing to the noise of the rolling train I had to 
elevate my voice to be heard. After a while the train reached 
a station and stopped, but I, having become interested in my 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 137 

subject, continued to talk in a high key. Looking around I 
observed that nearly all in the coach had their eyes fixed on 
me, and were listening. Soon the train moved on and I con- 
tinued my talk. 1 don't know how many miles long my 
sermon was. I distributed a number of tracts, which were 
accepted with apparent pleasure. The people were all stran- 
gers to me; yet I prayed the Lord that his word, though im- 
perfectly spoken, might be carried home to the hearts of poor, 
blind, lost sinners. 

' 'Reaching the Association I was most warmly received. 
When they had finished the business and were ready to ad- 
journ, they kindly invited me to address the body. In the 
course of my remarks I told them of a recent visit I had made 
to a town where the Quakers have a mission station. Tak- 
ing an afternoon stroll with three Mexican Quakers, we 
passed alongside of a beautiful little stream three or four feet 
deep, and as clear as crystal. Remembering that the 
Quakers do not believe in baptism, I said to these brethren, 
'See what a good place to baptize. Baptists should occupy 
this territory.' Looking over the packed congregation, and 
into the upturned faces, many of which were radiant with 
broad smiles, it was easy to detect in my hearers a hearty 
indorsement of and sympathy with the principle involved in 
the little incident just related. 

"The Association adjourned Saturday noon, but I was re- 
quested to remain over Sunday and preach and baptize some 
candidates. It was a busy day for me. I gave them three 
sermons, besides a talk on baptism at the water. Two candi- 
dates were baptized in a limpid little stream flowing through 
an orange grove. Although there is much opposition to the 
gospel in that city, there were about one hundred persons 
present; among them the civil judge, an attorney and others 
of respectability. Many, witnessing for the first time the 
ordinance thus administered, expressed themselves as being 
much pleased. 

"On Monday morning I left Cadereita, visiting two other 
cities on the railroad, and preaching three successive nights 



I3§ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

to good congregations. Then, regaining my horse, I turned 
my face homeward, winding my way back through the long 
canyon and over the Sierra Madre, preaching along in the 
towns and ranches, in some of which we have churches al- 
ready organized. But the worst time was still a head of us. 
By starting before day and rushing forward until dark, 
we reached the desired point to spend our last night out. The 
old patriarch of the ranch received us cordially. I at once 
asked him, according to Mexican courtesy, about the health 
of his family, and he told me that that very day his fourteen- 
year-old daughter had died of small pox; therefore they were 
in great trouble. Though I did not consider it prudent to 
stop, there was no alternative, as our horses % were too much 
fagged to go further, so we entered the inclosure, Soon the 
'watchers' — men and women— began to gather until they 
filled the house and yard. They would shoot off skyrockets 
from time to time, which, according to Catholic superstition, 
served to frighten away evil spirits from the corpse. As I 
was very tired, I converted my saddle and blanket into a 
couch out in the yard, where I slept two or three hours, not- 
withstanding the vociferous singing of the 'watchers' which 
was continued the most of the night. About two o'clock in 
the morning, as I was thoroughly chilled, I went into the 
kitchen, where they had a small fire built up in the middle of 
the house on the dirt floor. I saw three hand-mills about the 
room, on two of which women began to grind corn for break- 
fast. They made a large brass kettle full of corn-meal gruel, 
which they drank sweetened with molasses or brown sugar. 
They served me two cupfuls hot, which I drank with relish, 
as I had missed my supper the night before. We waited 
with impatience the coming day, and with the first rays of 
dawn we started for home, having before us a distance of 
fifty miles. But, oh, the dust! I have never seen it worse. 
At times I was almost stifled, being unable to see the road, or 
even my horse. I hope we are nearing the close of the dry 
season, which usually extends from November to April. We 
reached home at four o'clock in the afternoon. HOME! prec- 



MiSSiSSiPPi BAPTIST PREACHERS, 139 

ious word that. Few people on this earth appreciate the 
comforts of home more than the missionary. 

"I wish I had space and time to tell you all about our 
bright outlook in Doctor Arroyo; our crowded congregations, 
full Sunday school, flourishing girls' school, with twenty stu- 
dents enrolled; this school costing the mission a mere 
song. I am ordering material to enlarge our preaching hall to 
accommodate our constantly increasing congregation. We 
are on the very top round of buoyancy and hope. The Lord 
God be praised for his rich blessings unto us. Let us all con- 
tinue to work and pray and pay. Our time here is short. 
With very much love to you all, J. G. CHASTAIN. 

"Doctor Arroyo, Mexico, April, 1893." 

John T. Christian, A. M., D. D., a native of Fayette 
county, Ky., near Lexington, professed religion in 1870, at 
sixteen years of age, under the preaching of Dr. J. H. Spen- 
cer, and was baptized by Eld. T. M. Daniel. His college 
course was taken at Bethel College, Russelville, Ky., begin- 
ning in 1872 and closing in 1876. A portion of this time the 
college v/as presided over by the celebrated N. K. Davis, 
LL. D., and a portion of the time by Prof. L. Waggener. 
He not only took the classical, but also the theological course 
under Dr. W. W. Gardner, and began preaching during his 
college life. After graduating he was called to ordination by 
the Campbellsburg church, of which he was a member, and 
at once became pastor of the church at Athens, Ky. Early in 
1877 he became pastor of the churches at Tupelo and Verona, 
Miss. After a pastorate of two years with these churches he 
was married to Miss Evie Quinn, of Clay county, Miss., and 
located within the bounds of this body, since which he has 
had all of his time employed as missionary and pastor. His 
work has been blessed and "his praise is in all the churches." 
During this year (1880) Bethel College conferred upon him 
the degree of A. M. He is a man of excellent ability and 
large attainments, and is a vigorous thinker and an accurate 
and elegant writer. He has published articles upon a large 



140 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

range of subjects, and has several published sermons, on 
"Good Works," "Valley of Dry Bones," "Personality of the 
Devil," etc. Two articles published by him exhibit consider- 
able research and thought, viz.: "Heathen Testimony to the 
Truthfulness of the Bible," and "Are the Terms Elder and 
Bishop Synonymous?" 

This brief sketch of Dr. Christian is copied from the 
History of the Columbus Baptist Association , published in 1881. 
Early in the year 1881 he became pastor of the churches at 
Sardis and Batesville, and during this pastorate prepared and 
published his first book, "Six Days of Creation," being an 
expansion of a lecture on the Life and Character of Moses. 
It was a small work and sold for fifteen cents per copy. In 
this pastorate Dr. Christian was quite successful and became 
widely known and influential in the Coldwater Association, 
one of the largest bodies in the State. In 1883 he became 
pastor of the First Baptist church, Chattanooga, Tenn. His 
talents and earnest manner in preaching soon attracted the 
notice of the entire city and he was always greeted with good 
congregations. By superior administrative ability and a mar- 
velous capacity for work he guided his church successfully 
through serious difficulties. 

At the meeting of the State Convention at Oxford, July, 
1887, Dr. J. B. Gambrell, who had been the able and effi- 
cient corresponding secretary of the State Convention Board, 
resigned his position. Dr. Christian, having returned to Mis- 
sissippi in the early part of this year, was unanimously elected 
to the position of corresponding secretary of the Convention 
Board, as the successor of Dr. Gambrell. He entered this 
work with great energy, and brought into it a splendid 
physique, capable of great endurance and almost unlimited 
work, as well as a large heart and cultured mind. He con- 
ducted the affairs of the Board with success and vigor, until 
the wear and tear of the work began to make inroads upon 
his excellent physical constitution, and in the early part of 
1893 his resignation was tendered to the Board to take effect 
March 10, 1893. As his health absolutely demanded respite 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 141 

from the arduous duties of this station, the Board could only 
in deep sorrow and regret accept it. In a few months of rest 
his physical powers rallied, and he accepted, in April, 1893, 
an invitation to the pastorate of the East church, Louisville, 
Ky., where he is now (1894) located, doing some of the best 
preaching and most successful work of his life. 

During his arduous labors as corresponding secretary he 
prepared and published a remarkably fresh book of 256 pages 
on ' 'Immersion." This book, because of a great deal of new 
and hitherto unpublished testimony on the subject of baptism, 
may be regarded as the principal work produced on this sub- 
ject during the present century. In it the author has gath- 
ered testimony to the Baptist position from every conceivable 
source. The book has had a remarkable sale as its merits 
justly deserve. 

This book was quickly followed by another of the same 
size, by Dr. Christian, on "Close Communion." The same 
industry in gathering evidence and marshaling it in invincible 
array, which is seen in "Immersion," is seen also in this book 
on "Close Communion." This array of testimony leads to 
the Baptist position as that held by all other denominations, 
and to the conclusion that "Open Communion is a worn out 
heresy borrowed from the Baptists." This work likewise 
has had a large sale. Taken together these two books give a 
correct statement and a magnificent enforcement by invin- 
cible testimony of the Baptist position on Baptism and Com- 
munion. His latest work is a booklet of 52 pages on "Heathen 
and Infidel Testimonies to Jesus Christ," It is a rare collec- 
tion of testimonies of this sort, and would serve excellently as 
a booklet of reference on this subject. 

Dr. Christian is now in the prime of his life and powers, 
and if his life is spared there seems to open before him a 
future of great promise. His chief aim, however, is to be 
useful rather than brilliant. 

N. L. Clarke. The following sketch of this noble old 
soldier of the cross is taken from Mr. A. J. Brown's recently 



142 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

published History of Newton Co?t/ity, Mississippi: "Mr. 
Clarke is probably as well known to the citizens of Newton 
county as any man in it. There is scarcely a man or woman 
in the county who does not know him personally, or by reputa- 
tion. There are very few boys or girls who have not 
heard him preach. All the people of the county do not know, 
though, what a work he has performed since he came into the 
county; nor do all know what a useful man he has been. It 
is intended in this brief sketch to place before the readers of 
this book some of the work that has been done by Mr. 
Clarke, feeling that it is only an humble inadequate tribute to 
a man whose name now should be held in grateful remem- 
brance and high esteem by every one in the county. 

"He was born in Burke county, N. C, February 7, 
1812, which makes him something over eighty-two years old. 
He left his native State in April, 1835, and came to Sumter 
county, Ala., during the summer, where he remained for 
three years, and in the year 1838 made a profession of faith 
in Christ, and joined the Baptist church at Gainesville in 
that State. He was baptized on the 10th day of June of the 
same year, by Eld. Sterling G. Jenkins. Having impres- 
sions that it was his duty to preach the gospel, he returned to 
North Carolina and devoted himself to the study of the lan- 
guages. On returning to his native State Mr. Clarke became 
a member of the Lower Creek Baptist church in the county of 
his nativity. By this church he was liberated to preach on 
the nth day of May, 1839. In November of the same year 
he was married to Miss E. D. Powell, of North Carolina. He 
left his native State soon after and settled in De Kalb, Kemper 
county, Miss., in the early part of the year 1840, and spent 
the summer of that year at that place. In the fall of that 
year he moved to Neshoba county, and on the nth of April, 
1 84 1, was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. The 
ordaining presbytery were Michael Ross, Burwell L. Barnes, 
and W. M. Farrar. He entered immediately on pastoral 
work in the counties of Kemper, Neshoba, and Newton. In 
the fall of 1847 he moved to Newton county and became a 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 143 

member and the pastor of Decatur Baptist church, January, 
1848. In the year 1849 ne entered on mission work under 
the direction of Mount Pisgah Baptist Association, still holding 
the pastorate of the church at Decatur; preaching for several 
years in the Court House, before there was a church house 
built at that place. For eight years before the war he took 
missionary work in connection with his pastoral work, giving 
from two to three weeks of his time in each month and riding 
at least three hundred and fifty miles to do the work, and 
preaching at least twenty times in the month and sometimes 
oftener. His missionary work carried him to Kemper, Leake, 
Scott, Smith, Neshoba, Simpson, Covington, Jones, Jasper 
and Lauderdale counties, besides the home work done in New- 
ton county. During the war he was regularly engaged in the 
ministry, pastoral and missionary, a part of his time laboring; 
among the soldiers in the army. After the war, from 1866,, 
he was again engaged in missionary work, much in his old 
. field of labor, repairing the wastes of the war, and along the 
railroads, doing the usual amount of riding and preaching. 
After the war he served as one of his charges the church at 
Sylvarena, Smith county, about fifty miles from home, 
eighteen years, still keeping up the work at Decatur, and 
other charges, so as to occupy four Saturdays and Sundays 
in each month. He has been continuously an officer of Mount 
Pisgah Baptist Association since 1850; for five years the 
clerk, the balance of the time moderator of the body. He has 
been in every meeting of the Mount Pisgah Association since 
1841, taking an active part in business, not having missed a 
meeting. He has presided over the General Association of 
Mississippi, probably with two exceptions, since its organiza- 
tion in the year 1855. He has preached in the State since 
1840, and in this county since 1841, which makes fifty-four 
years in the State, fifty-three in this county. He has had the 
pastorate of the Decatur church since January, 1848, inclusive, 
making this the forty-seventh year. He has preached to 
Newton church since its constitution in 1869, making twenty- 
five years without a change. 



144 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

"In all these years Mr. Clarke has missed his appoint- 
ments at Decatur less than half a dozen times, and the same 
may be said of Newton, unless called away by duties to 
associations. In all these years he has never taken a rest 
week. He has baptized between fifteen hundred and two 
thousand persons and assisted in the organization of sixty or 
more churches in East Mississippi. 

"As a citizen Mr. C'arke stands well, is classed among 
the best. His honor and integrity are never questioned; he 
is industrious and frugal; always providing to make home 
comfortable; his credit stands well; he is prompt to meet 
his contracts. As a neighbor he is kind and accommodating; 
in his relations with the world he is social, genial and cheer- 
ful. As a preacher, Mr. Clarke stands far above many of his 
associates, has a liberal education and has always devoted 
himself to study, especially the study of the Bible. There is 
no place where Mr. Clarke feels so much his authority as in 
the pulpit. He is not rough, yet he is plain, and feels that 
when he stands up in the sanctuary of the Lord that it is his 
duty to speak the truth; and that those who come to hear him 
must take his understanding of the Scriptures. He is tender, 
loving, kind, and sympathetic, with no affectation or flattery; 
yet willing to treat all with deference and respect. As a 
presiding officer he knows his duty, and is not backward in 
the discharge of it. He is a dignified and competent official; 
willing to treat every one with respect, yet if a member, no 
matter who he is, gets out of order, his rulings are without 
favor or affection; he sustains order and maintains the dignity 
of his position. 

"Mr. Clarke is a friend to education; nearly a life-long 
advocate for temperance, and every good work. He has the 
confidence of his people, the high esteem of other churches, 
and his good works will follow him." 

Wilson Clark. Of this consecrated pioneer preacher 
the following brief mention is made in the minutes of the 
State Convention of 1877: Rev. Wilson Clark, of Mississippi 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 145 

Association, and one of the pioneer preachers of this part of 
the State, has been called, as we believe, to that rest which 
remains for the people of God, Bro. Clark was full of years, 
having passed three score and ten. He was modest and re- 
tiring, but earnest and faithful; and was blessed in his labors 
as the work prospered in his hands. Brethren, God is calling 
home his embassadors. Let us therefore work while it is day 
that we may be ready when the night of death shall come, in 
which no man can work. — D. I. PURSER, B. A. CRAWFORD, 
Jas. Newman, W. W. Bolls. 

Rev. Mr. Clark was born in North Carolina, November 
2, 1794, and came to Mississippi about the year 1808. He com- 
menced preaching about 1830. He removed to Louisiana in 
1833, but returned to Mississippi four years later. His min- 
istry covered a period of forty-seven years. He died June, 
1877, full of days and abundant in labors. 

A. E. Clemmons, D. D. Of this eminent minister of the 
Lord Jesus, who began preaching and was ordained in Missis- 
sippi, there is found the following brief sketch in the Baptist 
Encyclopedia, page 232, which we copy: "A. E. Clemmons, 
D. D., was born in Shelbyville, Tenn., September 14, 1822; 
educated at Shelbyville Academy; professed religion when 
seventeen years old; commenced preaching in his twentieth 
year; was ordained at New Bethel church, Noxubee county, 
Miss., in 1844; ministered to New Bethel church, Miss.; Lew- 
isville church, Ark.; Mount Lebanon and Meriden churches, 
La.; performed hard and useful service as a missionary in 
Mississippi and Arkansas, and was agent for Mount Lebanon 
University, La.; served Marshall church, Texas, from 1855 to 
1861, and 1865 to 1869; was chaplain of the Third Texas 
Regiment during the war; was pastor of Shreveport church, 
La., from 1869 to 1874; has been pastor of Longview church, 
Texas, since 1874. Although in charge of this church and 
others during his residence in Texas, he has lived at Marshall 
twenty-one years. Received the degree of D. D, from Waco 
University. He is moderator of Loda Lake Association; was 



146 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



president of the General Association of Texas a number of 
years, and is now president of East Texas Convention. He 
has served various Baptist bodies as agent, and aided in the 
establishment of several Baptist schools. He has been a 
prominent, popular, laborious, and able preacher from his or- 
dination up to the present time, and exercises a commanding 
influence in Eastern Texas." 

This was published in 1881. The name of Dr. Clem- 
mons appears in the Year Book of 1885, but does not appear 
in 1886, nor since, from which it seems that he either died or 
moved from Texas some time during 1885. At that time he 
was in his sixty-third year. 




RICHARD A. COHRON. 



Richard A. Cohron, the 

third child and only son of 
D. H. Cohron and Eliza An- 
derson Cohron, was born in 
Talifairo county, Ga., Au- 
gust 1, 1842. When the 
boy was four or five years 
old the father moved from 
the state of Georgia to Car- 
roll county, Mississippi, 
where the son grew into 
manhood. The rudimenta- 
ry part of his education was 
received at Milton Acade- 
my, Carroll county, an ex- 
cellent high school for the 
education of young men. 



At the age of eighteen he entered the Sophomore class in the 
University of Mississippi and remained a student in the univer- 
sity till the beginning of the Civil War between the States. 
Inspired with the feeling of love and loyalty to his beloved 
Southland, in common with the youth of the country, he left 
the classic halls of the university to enter the service of Con- 
federate States, as a soldier. He was mustered into the ser 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 147 

vice of his country as a member of the Carroll Rangers, a 
cavalry company, which afterwards became Company A., of 
the First Regiment of Mississippi Cavalry, commanded by the 
noble Colonel R. A. Penson, of Pontotoc county. During the 
whole of the war he served his country as faithfully as he 
knew how to do, and at the close of the bloody conflict 
received a parole from a Federal officer at Greneda, Miss. 
When the war had closed and the work of Federal reconstruc- 
tion of the Southern States had begun, the young man who 
had seen four years of hard service as a soldier now found 
that his father's estate had been swept away amidst the 
vicissitudes of ruthless war, and the country of his love was 
lying in desolation, ashes and ruin. 

The partial education obtained before the war was about 
the only basis and capital left with which to begin life's busy 
work. The university course was begun as a preparation for 
the study and practice of law. In the winter of 1865 R. A. 
Cohron entered the Law Department of the Cumberland 
University of Tennessee and was graduated from this institu- 
tion with the degree of L. B. at the close of the scholastic 
term of 1867. The father deserves the honor of giving to the 
son this further preparation for the active duties of business 
life, by furnishing the money to pay for the clothing, board 
and tuition while at the university. 

In the summer of 1867 another most important event 
took place in his life. He knew that he was a sinner and 
that it was unsafe to go along in life without any well 
grounded hope of salvation. He determined not to enter the 
practice of the law, his chosen profession, till he had definitely 
settled the question of his soul's salvation. As a matter of 
business, and intent upon finding the truth of the Scriptures 
as they affected him personally, in his relations to the Savior, 
he began an earnest and faithful investigation of the truths of 
the Bible. He committed himself fully to the truths of the 
gospel which revealed Christ as the sinner's substitute under 
the law of God, and as the sinner's Savior from the power 
and ruin of sin; and on the fourth Sunday in August, 1867, 



148 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

was baptized by Rev. R. H. Whitehead into the fellowship of 
the Missionary Baptist church at Vaiden, Miss., upon a pro- 
fession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

In the fall of the same year he began the practice of law 
at Vaiden, Miss., a town of some commercial importance and 
in the midst of a community where he had grown from child- 
hood to manhood. The practice of law was continued in 
Carroll and Montgomery counties with sufficient success, till 
he was compelled by the conviction of conscience and the 
manifest indication of divine Providence to relinquish his 
chosen profession for the higher and holier calling in which he 
is now engaged. In the midst of his prosperity as a young 
attorney he attended a service conducted^ by Dr. J. R. 
Graves. Afterwards he heard Dr. Graves, in a company of 
friends, giving the scriptural evidences of a call to the minis- 
try. As he listened, he said to himself, "If that is a call to 
the ministry I am called." The conviction grew upon him. 
The more he thought upon it the more he felt that it was his 
duty to preach, until he yielded to the conviction. 

Soon after beginning the practice of law he sought a 
partner, not a practitioner of the law but one who was willing 
to share with him life's joys and burdens, as a wife. In pur- 
suance of this purpose he found and won Miss Kate Gayden, 
of Carroll county, a highly gifted and well educated young 
woman, who had been recently graduated from the Union 
Female College at Oxford, Miss., and was married to her on 
November 3, 1868. She, with a true Christian woman-heart, 
nobly filled her part of the engagement made between them 
to walk life's journey together. The fruit of this union of 
husband and wife is an only daugnter, now Mrs. Albertha C. 
Lowry, of whom the father is justly proud. 

In 1873, at the call of the Baptist church in Vaiden, Miss., 
R. A. Cohron was set apart to the full work of the gos- 
pel ministry, Revs. Henry Pittman and H. F. Sproles forming 
the presbytery. This church immediately called their newly 
ordained brother to their service as pastor, which connection 
was continued with the most cordial harmony till the year 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 140 

1879, when the pastor resigned to take charge of the pastor- 
ate of the Baptist church in Winona, Miss. In this little city 
he found a small but faithful band of Baptists who were 
struggling to hold forth the word of truth. He cast in his lot 
with the company of believers and in a few years one of the 
strongest and most active and influential churches of the 
Yazoo Baptist Association had grown up under the faithful and 
earnest work of pastor and people. During the first years of 
this pastorate the church received financial aid from the State 
Mission Board of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention and 
under this fostering co-operation she soon became self-sus- 
taining; since that time the church has been paying back to 
the Lord and to the brethren the debt of gratitude by helping 
other weak and struggling churches. When the writer first 
met Rev. Mr. Cohron it was in the summer of 1879 while he 
was pastor of the Winona Baptist church. The acquaintance 
began at a meeting of days which was being conducted at a 
church in the country four miles east of Winona. Rev. J. P. 
Thompson was pastor and Rev. Mr. Cohron was assisting 
him. At that meeting the impression was made that Rev, 
Mr. Cohron was deeply in earnest in the work of saving souls. 
Later, in a conversation in the town of Winona, he remarked: 
"It must seem very fool-hardy in me to presume to fill this 
pastorate as the successor of such a man as Bro. Lyon, who 
is a man of great ability. But I came trusting in God." 

In the winter of 1884 he resigned the care of this church 
and removed to Vicksburg, Miss., at the call of that church 
and became pastor and partr er in labors in behalf of the cause 
of Christ. Here he had a most delightful and successful work 
for the period of six years, when health having failed and 
continued life being despaired of by family and friends, he 
resigned the work which had filled his heart and hands for 
these years. Through the mercies and blessings of a loving 
heavenly Father his health was restored, and just as he was 
getting able to begin again the Lord's work in preaching the 
gospel of Christ, the heaviest stroke and deepest affliction of 
his life came upon him. The wife who had so nobly and 



I$0 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PPEACHEPS. 

faithfully discharged all of the duties incident to the preach- 
er's and pastor's wife, sickened and died, leaving the husband 
and daughter heart-broken and bereaved. This sad event 
occurred on the 8th of June, 1893. After this the opportu- 
nity seemed to be offered for carrying into effect a desire that 
had long been cherished; to spend some time as a student in 
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, 
Ky. In the fall of this year he entered the Seminary and 
spent a delightful and profitable session in hard work, taking 
for study Homiletics, New Testament Interpretation of the 
Scriptures, Old Testament Interpretation of the Scriptures 
and Systematic Theology, receiving the diploma of the Semi- 
nary in the last three studies. 

During the years of his public life he has been closely 
connected and actively interested in all the work of Baptists 
in his State, sharing in the councils and toils of his brethren 
for the furtherance of the gospel, and during much of this 
time has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Missis- 
sippi College and a member of the Convention Board of the 
Mississippi Baptist State Convention. 

J. H. Cochran was born in South Carolina, August 9, 
1822. He came to Mississippi in 1840. After resisting the 
convictions of a call to the ministry for some time, he at 
length yielded and was ordained to the full work of the min- 
istry by Saron church, Holmes county, in March, 1857. The 
presbytery consisted of Revs. Benjamin Hodges and J. A. 
Linder. Circumstances compelled him to engage in secular 
pursuits in connection with his ministerial and pastoral labors 
and he was thus unable to give himself exclusively to the min- 
istry. But he was a good and acceptable preacher, being 
pastor of Saron, Pleasant Ridge, Emory, Bowling Green and 
Oregon churches. He was pastor of Bowling Green when 
he died. For a number of years he was elected clerk of 
Yazoo Association. 

J. W. Collins, the son of Jones W. Collins, an anti-mis- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 151 

sionary Baptist preacher, was born in DeSoto county, Miss., 
October 22, 1843. He was reared in the county of his birth. 
He joined the Confederate army in 1861, served through the 
whole war in Blyth's Battalion of Infantry in the Tennessee 
Division of the army, surrendered at High Point, N. C, and 
reached home in May, 1865. He professed religion and was 
baptized by Bro. Van Hoose, a missionary of the army. He 
joined New Prospect Baptist church, DeSoto county, in 1866 
or 1867. At that time and even before then, he was impressed 
with the duty of preaching the gospel, but knowing nothing 
about a divine call thought it only a strong desire to do good 
and help the cause of Christ. 

In 1869 he was married to Miss Sus^n A. Lee, a devoted 
Christian woman. He "started at the ground," as he says, 
at the close of hostilities, as the old home was burned during 
the war, all horses taken off and farm fences destroyed, and 
nothing left but an old farm grown up in broom-sedge. Every- 
thing must be bought and there was nothing to buy with. 
But being vigorous and determined, with the aid of friends, 
in a few years he was in easy circumstances. Having 
resolved to make merchandising a life business he directed all 
of his affairs accordingly; sold the farm, moved into the vicin- 
ity of Memphis, hoping to do a paying business in truck-traffic 
until the last land notes were paid off and then go into the 
mercantile business. "Man proposes, but God disposes." 
Here began a line of calamities. The principal part of the 
proceeds of his land was paid in cotton; about one-thousand 
dollars were lost on that. The cholera in 1873 ruined for that 
year the business of truck-farming. In the fall of 1873 all the 
money that remained was invested in land near Memphis. 
The financial crash of 1873 and 1874 depreciated that in value 
one-half. The yellow fever of 1878 ran him and his family 
back to DeSoto county, and the dying of stock, he says; "fin- 
ished us up financially." He arrived at Lewisburg with fifty 
dollars in cash, and three hundred dollars in debt, and rented 
a house and commenced a trafficking business. 

The next summer, 1880, Rev. J. W. Harris held a pro- 



I5 2 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

tracted meeting at Lewisburg with his old church, assisted by 
Rev. J. D. Anderson. During this meeting Mr. Collins' house 
and nearly everything he had was burned up. All along 
through these years the impression to preach grew stronger 
and stronger. Before this he had recognized the fact that this 
impression was God's call, but owing to circumstances he felt 
that he could not yield. Being so active in prayer meetings 
and protracted meetings his church had licensed him to 
preach, and he had exercised some little around home, but his 
education was so limited that he had determined not to go 
regularly into the ministry. Rev. Mr. Harris being cognizant 
of all his misfortunes came to him in this dark hour and said: 
"Brother Collins, if you don't quit your rebellion against God 
and go on to preaching the Lord will take that good wife of 
yours next." He replied: "Brother Harris, how can a man 
preach in this age without an education?" 

Revs. Harris and Anderson had a conversation with 
reference to getting Mr. Collins in at the Steward's hall 
of Mississippi College. They asked him if he would go if 
they could get him. He consulted his wife and she said; 
"Yes, I will do any way to aid you in preparation for the 
ministry." He then said to them: "Yes, I yield; I yield. 
I will sacrifice all of my fondly cherished hopes and dedicate 
my life to the ministry if I can only get two years in college." 
Mr. Anderson wrote immediately to Dr. Webb and soon the 
reply came; "Yes, the hall is vacant, and we want a good 
man." In about six weeks after his last house went up in 
flames he and his family were en route for Mississippi College. 
He entered college September, 1880, at the age of thirty-six 
and graduated in the B. S. course in 1885, at the age of forty. 

During three years of his college course he was pastor of 
from one to two churches adjacent to Clinton. Since he left 
college up to the present time (1894) he has had all of his 
time filled, and has been "instant in season and out of sea- 
son" in preaching the Word. Up to this time he has occupi- 
ed only two fields. The first two years of his ministry he 
was traveling missionary and colportueur for the Coldwater 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. I 53 

Association. For the past seven years he has been pastor of 
churches in the Sunflower Association. 

He says: "Now when I look back over that long line of 
successive calamities and think of the many heart-aches caused 
thereby, not then being able to see the hand of God in them, 
now I can see and realize that those strokes were made with 
a hand of love, and to-day I can praise God that my property 
was destroyed, my houses burned, and I was made to yield 
to the service in which my soul takes such supreme delight. 
In conclusion, I will say to all who may read these lines, as 
one who has experienced it. Do not be afraid to give up your 
plans for God's plans. He never makes any mistakes nor 
commits errors, but you may make many mistakes. May 
the Lord bless this experience to the good of others." — J. W. 
Collins. 

Lee Compere. Of this eminent and most excellent man 
of God the following brief sketch is borrowed from the Baptist 
Encyclopadia, page 258: "Rev. Lee Compere, a distinguish- 
ed preacher in Mississippi, was born in England in 1789; went 
as a missionary to Jamaica in 1876, but after one year his 
health compelled him to give up an interesting work. He 
then came to the United States and labored some time in 
South Carolina, He was six years at the head of the Bap- 
tist mission to the Creek Indians, until it was broken up by 
the removal of the Indians west of the Mississippi. He then 
followed the tide of emigration first in Alabama, and thence 
into Mississippi, and settled in Yazoo county. In this State 
he labored in various localities with distinguished ability un- 
til the late Civil War, when he removed to Arkansas, and 
thence to Texas, where he died in 1871." Rev. Mr. Compere 
was father-in-law of S. S. Lattimore, and father of E. L. 
Compere, who still lives in Sebastian county, Arkansas. 

E. L. Compere is a son of Lee Compere and lived and 
labored for some years in the Eastern portion of Mississippi, 
within the bounds of the Columbus Association. He was the 



154 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

co-laborer of J. T. Freeman and others who at one time were 
leading spirits in that section of the State. Partaking of the 
distinguished talents of the Compere family he was every 
where a felt power and engaged in the enterprises of the 
denomination with almost herculean vigor and energy. With 
his characteristic ardor he engaged in building up a college at 
Witcherville, Sabastian county, Arkansas, for the education 
of the Indians — a grand enterprise, and under his efficient 
management attained a large measure of success. 

In a letter to Rev. J. T. Freeman, August 17, 1881, he 
says in regard to work for this institution, known as "Buck- 
ner College" in honor of Rev. H. F. Buckner, who gave his 
life to work among the Indians: "DEAR BRO. FREEMAN: — I 
will expect a letter from you soon. If you ma^keany extracts 
from my letter for the press don't make me say, l I raised 
twelve-hundred dollars, I should have said, 'We,' as some 
others helped me a little. But it was done in my name as 
agent. Hence I did not think it any impropriety. But other 
collectors have several hundred dollars more. Our aggregate 
raised recently being at least sixteen hundred dollars." 

The following paragraph recently published in an open 
letter to Dr. J. T. Freeman, will be of interest, as connect- 
ed with Rev. Mr. Compere's work; "I do not know how 
it is in Mississippi, but there are in the West, and quite 
numerous in some communities, who, given over to 'strong 
delusions' to 'believe a lie,' agree with Bob Ingersoll that our 
God, the God of the Bible, is an 'infamous being.' Such 
men would 'not believe if one rose from the dead.' But 
many who are under their influence would cry, 'What must I 
do to be saved?' if an earthquake should shake the prison for 
the deliverance of Christian ministers. I have some ideas on 
this subject, but just now I wish to sit at the feet of my vene- 
rable brother. Go on, Bro. Freeman, and let us 'hear all 
things that are commanded thee of God.' " 

The writer has twice met Rev. Mr. Compere. The first 
meeting was at the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



155 



in May, 1893; the second meeting was during the sessions of 
the same body at Dallas, Texas, May, 1894. 




Silas Gallman Cooper 

was born near Palestine 
church, Hinds county, 
Miss., July 13, 1853, of 
honest and respectable 
parents. He was reared 
on a farm. Being one of 
a large family of children, 
and his mother being an 
invalid for many years, 
he, with them, was com- 
pelled to battle with the 
stern realities of life at 
an early age. His father, 
J, S. C. Cooper, was of 
SILAS GALLMAN COOPER. Irish descent; his mother, 

Susan Sellers Gallman, was of German lineage; each of whose 
ancestors settled, at an early date, in South Carolina and 
Georgia. His mother's brother, W. B. Gallman, was a 
preacher of more than ordinary ability. His brother, R. 
A. Cooper, though his junior in age is his senior in the min- 
istry. Under the instructions of a pious mother, so gentle 
and patient under her many privations, trials, and sufferings; 
and through the sweet Christian influence of two sisters he 
received early impressions which led to his conversion at the 
age of seventeen. Almost immediately after his conversion 
he had impressions to preach, but being of a rather timid and 
sensitive nature, he did not for a long time yield to these im- 
pressions. For more than ten years he was more or less 
troubled about the work. He said that he often felt, "woe 
is me if I preach not the gospel," yet, knowing himself to be 
so little qualified for it, he was fearful he would make a mis- 
take. He tried to persuade himself that these impressions 
were a call to greater earnestness and consecration in Christian 



!56 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

service, and, therefore, unless providentially prevented, was 
always at his place in church, Sunday school, and prayer- 
meeting, ready to do any work put upon him. But this did 
not relieve him of the burden; it rather grew heavier. Many 
a chastening did he receive at the hand of the Lord until he 
finally gave up completely to do the work. Then the diffi- 
culties vanished, comforting promises of God's word came to 
him, which have been a help to him ever since. There was 
a peace and joy indescribable that filled his soul. He was 
licensed to preach by Palestine church in October, 1881. 
Rev. J. L. Pettigrew was pastor, and he recognizes and states 
the fact that this beloved pastor's plain gospel preaching and 
exegesis of Scripture has been of incalculable benefit to him. 
In March of the following year, 1882, he entered Mississippi 
College with scarcely enough money to pay his way to the 
end of that session. During that time, he walked six miles, 
once a month, to preach. He was offered a public school at a 
good salary, during his summer vacation, but, being anxious 
to begin his life work, he declined the offer and assisted in 
protracted meetings. The most of his work during the sum- 
mer was with Rev. J. A. Scarborough, then missionary in 
Union Association. From a financial stand-point the summer's 
work was not profitable, as he received only fifteen dollars; 
but it was rich in experience, and more than forty were 
received into the various churches. Not having sufficient 
money, and unwilling, for reasons, at the time, satisfactory 
to himself, to throw himself as a beneficiary upon the Board 
of Ministerial Education, he took a book agency and made 
enough, by remaining out of college the first half session of 
1882 and 1883 to pay his way the latter half. During this 
time, he, with four other students, rented a house and did 
their own work, keeping house, cooking, etc. He was, in the 
mean time, called to supply Beech Grove church, Claiborne 
county, which was the year before in the mission work of 
Rev. J. A. Scarborough. Going to this church once a month 
from college, he served it nearly three years, during which 
time the church increased in strength in several directions, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. • 1 57 

doubling its membership, multiplying its contributions to 
missions many times, and increasing pastor's salary two-fold. 
During the summer of 1883 he was called to Bethesda church, 
Jefferson county. His work there was of short duration and 
necessarily but little visible good was accomplished. 

December 25, 1883, he was married to Miss Annie, 
daughter of Dr. Wm. Jones, of Osyka, Miss. He acknowl- 
edges that to his noble Christian wife's devotion and self- 
sacrifice he owes much for graduating with the honors of his 
class in 1888. While this is true in his case, he says that it 
is hazardous for a young man to marry before completing his 
college course, as numerous instances prove. In 1884 he was 
called to supply Beulah church, Brownsville, Hinds county. 
The Lord greatly blessed his labors with this church. During 
his pastorate, which closed with the year 1890, more than 
one hundred were baptized into her fellowship, and contribu- 
tions to the work increased from about seventy-five dollars to 
three hundred. He often attributes his success there, in a 
large measure, to the sainted Dr. R. E. Hutchins, who was 
a leader wonderfully helpful to a pastor. There were others 
mentioned by him who ably seconded the noble deacon, such 
as the lamented John McDowell, Williams, Lane, O'Neal and 
others. 

In 1886 he was called to Supply the church at Edwards 
Depot. He found this a small church, in debt and somewhat 
discouraged. He closed his work there at the end of the year 
with the debt paid and more than one hundred dollars in the 
treasury and the church encouraged. The following year, 
1887, he became pastor of Utica church, which was more 
fully developed than some others, yet considerable improve- 
ment was made during the four year's pastorate. There was 
an increase in mission contributions, church building repaired 
at considerable cost, and debt on pastor's home paid. 

He was called from Utica in South Mississippi to Tupelo 
in North Mississippi, and accepted the call, although finan- 
cially it was not so beneficial to him; but after Long seasons 
of prayer and through the influence of a brother and others, 



158 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

he felt that the field was open for more good. He, therefore, 
sacrificed self-interest and began his work in this new field in 
January, 1891. He was soon convinced that he had entered 
a field which required no small degree of labor, skill, and 
Christian fortitude. He found the Tupelo church in 
debt, no pastor's home, no prayer-meeting, and preaching 
only once a month, and things generally in a luke-warm con- 
dition. Although the outlook was exceedingly gloomy, he 
entered into the work with his characteristic zeal, urging this 
little band to do all for the glory and honor of God, assuring 
them that He would bless and prosper His own. He very soon 
organized a prayer-meeting, which resulted in great good to 
the church and community. He preached twice a month to 
this church and at the end of two years the membership had 
increased from fifty-six to more than one hundred; the church 
was out of debt, and had built a nice, comfortable pastor's 
home. During this time he had given one Sunday each to 
Verona and Shannon in 1891; to Verona and Booneville in 
1892, with marked success at these places, and won the love 
and esteem of all true Christian people. He continued his 
work in Tupelo during the year 1893, giving one Sunday to 
Verona, and was appointed by the Board to labor as mission- 
ary in the bounds of the Aberdeen Association, in which field 
he did great good for the advancement of the Master's cause. 

At the close of this year he received several calls more 
remunerative than his present work, but loving the Master's 
work more than self-promotion financially, he accepted a call 
from Okolona for two Sundays and remained in Tupelo where 
he had lived and labored since 1891. 

His present year's labor has not been sparkling with as 
brilliant results as the years previous, but his earnest and 
persistent Christian work will, no doubt, yield a rich harvest. 
The writer of this sketch has never been associated with any 
one more conscientious and zealous in the work in which he 
is engaged. He is kind, gentle, sympathetic, and loving; 
but is determined and bold as Paul of old. Taking the Bible 
as his guide, he fearlessly defends the Master's cause, being 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 159 

ever mindful that the glory and honor shall be the Lord's, 
We dare to predict a brilliant and glorious future for such an 
one. 

An Incident. — He says: "During the latter part of my 
college course I was preaching four Sundays per month and 
carrying a full course of studies. I dared not think what was 
before me to be accomplished. Some of my churches were 
insisting on my stopping school and coming out to live with 
them. I was almost persuaded. I mentioned my labors and 
difficulties to Dr. J. B. Gambrell. He replied in his quaint 
earnest way: 'Yes, you will find that completing your col- 
lege course will be the biggest difficulty with which you will 
ever be called on to meet.' That set me to thinking. If that 
is true by the help of the Lord I will meet and overcome it. 
I thank Bro. Gambrell. 

David Cooper. Again there must be expressed a regret 
that there is so little to be known of this pioneer preacher in 
our State. It becomes necessary to borrow in full the short 
sketch of this servant of Jesus given in the Baptist Encyclo- 
pedia, page 274. It is the following: "Rev. David Cooper, 
M. D., was a distinguished pioneer Baptist in Southwest Mis- 
sissippi, who combined the callings of minister and physician. 
He came to the State in 1802, and from this time until his 
death, in 1830, he was assiduous in his labors in Southwest- 
ern Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana, and perhaps did more 
than any other man to give character to these early Baptists. 
Himself a man of learning, he was a vigorous advocate of 
ministerial education. He was also an active promoter of 
missions, He was long moderator of the Mississippi Associa- 
tion, which he assisted in organizing, and wrote many valuable 
papers which appear as circular letters in the minutes of the 
association." 

At the session of Mississippi Association, in 1830, the 
following was passed by the body: "Resolved, unanimously, 
that we do very sensibly feel our very great loss in the death 
of our dearly beloved and venerable Dr. David Cooper. He 



160 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHER^. 

was a laborer in this vineyard in early times; he labored long 
for the prosperity, union and happiness of these churches, 
under circumstances and seasons that tried the souls of men; 
he endured hardships as a good soldier, distinctly character- 
ized for firmness, decision, gentleness, prudence and circum- 
spection. He persevered with patience and untiring zeal in 
the great and benevolent enterprises of the gospel. He died, 
as he lived strong in the faith, exemplary in fortitude and 
holiness, giving glory, honor and praise to God in the highest. 
His light was shed on all around; his influence and usefulness 
were realized by all. But his work is done; he is gone to his 
long and happy home; the mourners are seen in his beloved 
family — in all the churches — in all the associations; and our 
sorrow, though not without hope, will continue as long as his 
memory lives in this body." 

M. T. Conn. In the Minutes of the Strong River Baptist 
Association, in 1869, the Association through a committee, 
says: "WHEREAS, A kind and beneficent Father, in His wis- 
dom and providence has taken from our midst by sudden 
death, one we loved and in whom we confided, Rev. M. T. 
Conn, our former moderator, who died September 8, 1869, 
while engaged in a meeting of days at Brushy Fork church, 
Copiah county, Mississippi; therefore be it by this asso- 
ciation Resolved (1) That we believe Brother Conn to have 
been a faithful and devoted minister of the gospel of Jesus 
Christ, who for many years earnestly 'contended for the 
faith once delivered to the saints.' We bitterly mourn the 
loss of our dearly beloved brother, but feel to hope that 'our 
loss is his eternal gain.' (2) That we will cherish a fond 
remembrance for our deceased brother; together with the 
service which in life he rendered to his Maker; and will try 
to feel that 'though he is dead, yet he speaketh.' (3) That 
we deeply sympathize with his beloved companion and dear 
children in their severe, yet providential bereavement, and 
would direct them to Him who will be a husband and father to 
them, and 'heareth even the young ravens when they cry.' 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. l6l 

(4) That in this, our loss as brethren and friends, we meekly 
bow to the dispensation of Providence, and school ourselves 
to say: 'The Lord gave; the Lord hath taken away; blessed 
be the name of the Lord.' (5) That the clerk of this associ- 
ation be instructed to forward as soon as convenient a copy 
of these resolutions to the family of our deceased brother. 
T. GREEN, for Committee." 

Robert Alanson Cooper was born in Hinds county, 
Miss., February 26, 1855. His mother, Susan (Gallman) 
was for the most of her life an invalid and a great sufferer. 
His father, Simpson Cooper, lost the labor of his young man- 
hood as a surety for a friend. This with his invalid wife and 
family of little children made him visionary in his expecta- 
tions, hence a bad manager; and all combined made theirs a 
home of hard poverty. Indeed, so wretched was this that at 
one time a near relative advised divorce and promised sup- 
port for mother and children. But to her the marriage vow 
was sacred. She would suffer all things rather than have 
her children start in life under a shadow. She suffered, but 
God gave them light at evening-tide. Amidst struggles 
Robert was reared, having advantage of a school for a few 
months at the age of ten, fourteen and eighteen respectively. 

His religious impressions were early. He would leave 
his blocks or cob-house, and steal up to his mother's side as, 
propped up in bed, she sang the songs of Zion. He was often 
at "the mourner's bench,"' and sometimes was half persuaded 
that he was a Christian. But at the age of fifteen under a 
sermon by Rev. T. J. Walne, he saw that his was only self- 
righteousness, that in fact he was a great sinner. He sought 
forgiveness with tears; and the sense of deep guilt was taken 
from him. But to the joy of salvation he was a stranger for 
two more years, during which time he sometimes asked for 
the sense of condemnation to return; but it did not return. 
But at the age of seventeen, having heard a sermon from J. 
L. Pettigrew on "Following Christ," he went to his plowing 
wondering why he could not be a Christian. What had the 



1 62 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

preachers said do, and he had not done it? They had said, 
come forward for prayer and he had done that; they had said 
pray for yourself and he had done that; they had said read 
certain portions of Scripture and he had done that— every 
thing as nearly as possible like he had been directed. He 
thought possibly he had sinned away his day of grace by 
dallying with the matter. But "what can I do?" he said. 
"I have done everything I have been told told to do — every 
thing I can think of- and the case is nothing better. Well, I 
can't find hope, but I owe Christ my life any way. He died 
for me and has offered me salvation through many a preacher 
and the fact that I have trifled with His goodness does not 
excuse me from serving Him. So, to-morrow, without hope, 
I will offer myself to the church; if they receive me, I will 
read the Bible and try to order my walk by the word of God. 
If they reject me (and I don't see how else they well can do) 
I will still so order my walk and wait a year and then offer 
myself again, and continue this until I die. If, at death, God 
casts me off forever, He will do right and I will understand 
there why it was and where it was I missed it. And if in hell 
I can honor Jesus I would gladly do it there!!" Well, reader, 
if you are a Christian, you know the rest. 

Life now had new views to young Cooper. His ambi- 
tion had been to have a home with comforts. He now desired 
to serve God. Where should it be? How should it be? He 
was willing to serve as deacon, Sunday school teacher, 
preacher or private member. He wanted to preach. Was 
this desire caused by his fondness for his favorite kinsman 
(Rev. W. B. Gallman) or an oft repeated wish of his sister 
that he might be a preacher, or a desire for prominence; or was 
it wholly of the Lord? He was anxious to do the Lord's will 
in the matter, but could not settle where to spend and be 
spent until he said, "I'll go and preach and if I have mistaken 
my duty, Lord, give me paralysis of the tongue or blindness or 
any affliction rather than that I should bring reproach upon 
Thy cause." Ever afterwards he had the one purpose of 
preaching Christ, our righteousness. In 1877 he was licensed 



a 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 163 

to preach by the Palestine church, Hinds county. In 1879 
he was ordained to the full work of the ministry by the same 
church, the presbytery being Revs. W. S. Webb, J. L. Pet- 
tigrew, and I. A. Hailey. During this year the Lord greatly 
prospered his work as missionary of the Union Association. 
In 1880 he entered Mississippi College where he was sus- 
tained by churches which he supplied from school until 1884, 
when he graduated after a struggle of eleven years, with the 
degree of B. S. He immediately accepted the church at 
Utica with Salem and Chapel Hill, the latter of which he had 
supplied the last three years of his college life. In 1885 he 
was married to Miss Lizzie D. Williams, daughter of the 
lamented Prof. De Witt Williams. During this year a 
pastor's home was bought and his salary otherwise greatly 
increased by the church. In 1886 he lost his wife and baby 
which broke his life plans. In 1887 he spent a short while at 
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, from which he 
came to New Albany, Miss., where again the Lord blessed 
his labors for three and a half years. In 1888 he was married 
to Miss Anna Lou, daughter of the Christly Deacon N. M. 
Berry. He is now (October, 1894) in the fifth year of his 
pastorate at Pontotoc, with three other churches, where a 
comfortable home has been bought by the church. As pastor, 
his hobby is, "Brethren, walk in peace." He offered the 
following resolution, which was adopted by the Baptist State 
Convention, at Summit in 1893: " Resolved, That the further 
agitation of the removal of Mississippi College is unwise, 
hurtful to all our denominational interests, and contrary to 
our chartered obligations." 

As evangelist, his theme is "Christ, the end of the law 
for righteousness." His mottoes are two: (1) Preach not 
about the Truth, but preach the Truth, (2) Preach not 
about Christ, but preach Christ. 

A. P. Copeland was born in Wayne county, N. C, in 
November, 1831. In 1832 his father moved to Middle Ten- 
nessee. In 1833 he settled in Lawrence county and remained 



1 64 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

within two miles of the same spot till he died in the seventy- 
eighth year of his age, about 1882. There the boy was 
brought up on a farm and educated to read and write in the 
short schools he attended two and three months in each year 
till over fifteen years of age. After that he worked with his 
hands and paid his way till he acquired a sufficient knowledge 
of Arithmetic, English Grammar and other common branches 
to teach, and thus worked until 1855. This year, in Novem- 
ber, he was licensed to preach at Rodgersville, Ala. The 
winter following he entered Union University, Murfreesboro, 
Tenn., and remained until the fall of 1859. During his col- 
lege course he preached much each vacation and some during 
the sessions. While there he received between two and three 
hundred dollars from Liberty Association of Ndrth Alabama. 
He made and paid a portion of the expenses of the course 
himself after he had finished. Expecting to return he de- 
clined the degree which was offered for having entered for 
A. M., and having nearly completed the degree for A. B. 
He felt unwilling to receive the offered degree, B. P. H. Ill 
health and the clouds of the Civil War prevented his return, 
not to mention limited means. So the remainder of the course 
was abandoned and also the lung cherished thought of going 
as a missionary to China. Returning to Alabama he entered 
the pastorate and was ordained at Poplar Creek church, Lime- 
stone county, April 29, i860, Eugene Strode, G. W. Buckett, 
and G. W. Carmichael being the ordaining council. Continu- 
ing this work two years with a good degree of encouragement 
and success he resigned and returned to Tennessee on account 
of the distractions of the war.' Such was the general confusion 
that he went into a quiet neighborhood and engaged in teach- 
ing school and continued until the close of the war, except 
when so over-run with soldiers that work had to be suspended. 
During this time he preached for churches which were near 
at hand. 

A slmrt time before the close of the war he was married 
to a young widow, Mrs. Ann M. Bright, in Lincoln county, 
Tenn., December 25, 1863. He followed teaching and farm- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 165 

ing almost continuously for six years, and then moved to 
West Tennessee in 1869. He taught one term, and the same 
year went to Guntown, Lee county, Miss., remaining there 
and teaching the latter part of that year and the next, till 
about midsummer, 1870; and then on account of his wife's 
health, and business requirements, returned to Middle Ten- 
nessee. Here he continued teaching and farming, sometimes 
alternating between them, and preaching, being actively en- 
gaged in preaching much of the time till the fall of 1878. He 
then removed to West Tennessee and continued the same 
course till the fall of 1880. At this time he went to Arkansas 
and remained the greater portion of the time, living eighteen 
months in the Indian Territory and traveling nearly one year 
in Texas and Missouri till November, 1891. He then resolved 
to recross the Mississippi. The sad event of losing his wife, 
the companion of his toils and wanderings, Oct. 3, 1889, so 
depressed him that he felt sick of the West and as much 
averse to all that renders life fluctuating. So in November, 
1 891, he came to this State and was soon engaged in the pas- 
torate of Mount Zion, Hickory Grove and Bethel churches, of 
Coldwater Association, Mississippi. Later he agreed to give 
the little church at Midway one-fourth of his time. As his 
pastorate of these churches drew to a close, in 1892, he came 
to the Columbus Association and has had the pastoral care of 
Pleasant Grove, Bethesda, Salem and Mayhew churches for 
1893 and 1894. On Aug. 30, 1893, he was married to Miss 
Ida H. Williams, near Macon, Miss. Seven children by the 
wife of his youth are all members of Baptist churches, except 
one that may have ceased to be such on account of marrying 
a Methodist. Three yet remain with him. He says: 

"Though my life has been much unsettled and its check- 
ered scenes many, I have been busy and never without hope 
or purpose. The mistake of my life has been that I resorted 
to teaching and other secular business. This may be partly 
attributed to the misfortune of the Civil War, occurring just 
as I was actively entering the work of the ministry. But I 
never have felt justified in thus continuing so long. Never 



166 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



was I happy with such divided work; and ever feeling that 
nothing could excuse me in the neglect of the ministry, 1 re- 
solved, the Lord helping me, that the remainder of my life 
should be given exclusively to the ministry." 

Ezra Courtney. This distinguished and active pioneer 
preacher lived and labored within the bounds of the Mississippi 
Association from its organization in 1806 until 1848 and per- 
haps later. During this period his name appears as a delegate 
at almost every annual session. We here again borrow from 
Dr.'~Cathcart (Baptist Encyclopedia, page 2S2J: "Rev. Ezra 
Courtney, a pioneer preacher in Louisiana, was born in Penn- 
sylvania in 1 771. Living in Mississippi, he preached as early 
as 1804 in Eastern Louisiana, then West Florida, and under 
Spanish rule; he settled in East Feliciana Parish in 1814. He 
was an efficient and popular preacher, often elected moderator 
of the Mississippi Association and other bodies of which he 
was a member; and he continued his labors until disabled by 
age. He died in 1855." 

Vernon H. Cowsert. 

For more than four 
years Bro. Cowsert has 
been the successful pas- 
tor of the Wall Street 
Baptist church in the 
bea itiful city of Natch- 
ez, on the "Father of 
Waters." During 
these years he has been 
steadily growing in 'he 
esteem and affections 
of his people and in in- 
fluence and popularity 
in the city. While a 
staunch Baptist and 
courageously loyal to 
the teachings of the 




VERNON H. COWSERT. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 167 

Bible on controverted doctrines, he has the esteem and ap- 
preciation of other denominations. During the State Conven- 
tion in the city of Natchez, in 1891, the writer had his home 
with Mr. William Gunning, a steward and influential and in- 
telligent member of the Methodist church. Mr. Gunning 
several times spoke in the highest terms of the Baptist pas- 
tor's ability and usefulness as a Christian gentleman and a 
religious teacher. 

He is a young man of much personal magnetism and binds 
his friends and admirers to him as with hooks of steel. He is 
a preacher of decided ability, and his magnetic style, while 
plain and simple and evangelical, gives him constantly nu- 
merous auditors. He is thoroughly consecrated to his high 
vocation, and all his evangelistic labors have been greatly 
blessed. Of a series of revival services he once conducted in 
the Jackson Baptist church, Pastor Sproles remarked to the 
writer: "We are having a real Holy Ghost meeting." 

He spent one summer in the training school of the great 
evangelist, Mr. D. L. Moody, at Northfield, in order to study 
evangelistic methods, and expresses himself as greatly bene- 
fitted by his association with the great evangelist. He is a 
man to appreciate and profit by study with Moody, for his 
heart is in his great work and he has a passion for winning 
souls to Christ. The writer is free to confess that among the 
young ministers of this State there is no one for whom he has 
a greater love and admiration than Vernon H. Cowsert. 

"Peter Crawford was born in Virginia in 1809; professed 
religion in 1831, and soon after became a minister; received a 
liberal education in what is now known as Richmond College, 
Virginia. Having a rare faculty for teaching, his life was 
principally devoted to educating the young, although engaged 
regularly in preaching. In 1835 he removed to Marion, Ala., 
and founded the now justly famed Judson Female Institute. 
After teaching some time in Central Female College, Miss., 
in 1866 he became president of Keachi Female College, at 
Keachi, La., where he ended his labors, April 25, 1873." — 



1 68 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



Baptist Encyclopedia, p. 291. Besides his teaching in Cen- 
tral Female College, Mr. Crawford taught with eminent suc- 
cess, a flourishing Academy at Dailey's Cross Roads, Lowndes 
county, the site of the present town of Crawford, for several 
years in about the beginning of the fifties. He was present 
at the meeting of the Columbus Association in 185 1, as a del- 
egate from Prairie Grove (Crawford) church. The town of 
Crawford received its name from him. He was prominent 
and influential in the denominational gatherings in these early 
years. He was an associate and co-laborer of the late la- 
mented Prof. A. J. Quinche, of the University, Oxford 
Miss. 

William Carey 
Crane, D. D., LL. 

D., was born in 
Richmond, Va., 
March 17, 1816; 
educated in the best 
schools of the city 
of Richmond; also 
Richmond Col- 
lege, Va.; Mount 
Pleasant Classical 
^Institution, Am- 
;herst, Mass.; Co- 
: ' lumbia College, I). 
C; and Madison 
University, N. Y. 
His A. B. and A. 
M. are from Co- 
lumbia College, D. 
WILLIAM CAREY CRANE, D. D., LL.D. C; his D. D. from 
Howard College Ala.; and his LL. D. from Baylor University, 
Texas. His opportunities have enabled him to become a pro- 
found scholar, and he now ranks among the most useful, 
laborious, and able Baptists in the Southern States. His early 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 169 

life was passed in Virginia. He was converted through the 
agency of a conversation with Robert Ryland, first president 
of Richmond College, and he was baptized by James B. Tay- 
lor, D. D., July 27, 1832. He is the oldest son of Rev. 
William Crane — sketched in another article — late of Balti- 
more, Md. He was licensed to preach by Second church, 
Richmond, Va., and ordained September 23, 1838, in Balti- 
more, Md., by request of Calvert Street church. When 
twenty-one years of age he was elected professor in the Bap- 
tist Seminary, now Richmond College, Va., but declined, and 
spent from November, 1837, to February, 1839, teaching and 
preaching in Georgia. From February, 1839, to January, 
1851, he was pastor at Montgomery, Ala., Columbus, Vicks- 
burg, and Yazoo City, Miss. He has been called to the pres- 
idency of five colleges for males, and six for females, which 
he declined. He has been president of Yazoo Classical Hall, 
Miss.; Mississippi Female College, Hernando, Miss.; Semple 
Broaddus College, Centre Hill, Miss.; Mount Lebanon Uni- 
versity, La. He was elected president of Baylor University, 
Independence, Texas, in July, 1863, and has held that posi- 
tion ever since, and J. W. D. Creath expresses the sentiment 
of Texas in saying that no one in or out of Texas could have 
done better than he has done in its administration, under all 
the surrounding difficulties during that time. He has sacri- 
ficed forty thousand dollars of salary, spent over five thousand 
dollars of his own means, and contributed nearly two thousand 
dollars from his own purse for various objects connected with 
its interests. He has been either a contributor to or an editor 
of news journals, periodicals, magazines, and reviews since 
his seventeenth year; he has preached in all sorts of places, 
from a stump in the forest to the elegantly-furnished audience- 
rooms in New York, Louisville, Richmond, and Baltimore; has 
published a large number of sermons and literary addresses; 
has addressed large convocations of Masons, Odd Fellows, and 
Friends of Temperance, and held the most honorable State 
offices in these orders; is a member or numerous National and 
State literary and scientific organizations; has by invitation of 



170 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the Legislature delivered addresses from the Speaker's stand 
at Jackson, Miss., and Austin, Texas; was selected by his 
county in 1870 to deliver the memorial address of Robert E. 
Lee, and in 1876 was chosen to deliver the centennial oration; 
has published the 'Memoir of Mrs. A. F. Crane,' 'Literary 
Discourses,' and a 'Collection of Arguments and Opinions on 
Baptism;' and he is now publishing in lessons a 'Baptist Cat- 
echism.' A collection of his writings would fill half a dozen 
volumes. He was first married to Miss Alecta Flora Galusha, 
of Rochester, N. Y., whose grandfather, granduncle and 
great-grandfather were twenty-nine years governors of Ver- 
mont. She lived ten years. He was next married to Miss 
Jane S. Wright, at Rome, N. Y., who lived about sixteen 
months. His last marriage was April 26, 1845, to Miss Kate 
Jane Shepherd, Mobile, Ala. 

"The Rev. Z. N. Morrell, in his 'Flowers and Fruits 
from the Wilderness, or Thirty-six Years in Texas,' says, 
'As a scholar, he has but few equals, and his superiors are 
very scarce. His conversation, his literary addresses, and 
his sermons all show that he is not only a profound scholar, 
but that he has always been a student, and he is a student 
still. His mental discipline is of the most rigid character. In 
person he is of medium height, with compact form, inclined 
to corpulency.' For twelve years he was secretary of the 
Southern Baptist Convention, and in 1870, 1874, 1877, and 
1878 he was vice-president of said body. In fact, during a 
long life, and ever since his seventeenth year, he has been an 
officer of religious bodies in the States of Virginia, Alabama, 
Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. He was president of the 
Mississippi State Convention for two years; of the Louisiana 
State Convention for three years; and he has been president 
of the Texas Baptist State Convention since 1871, and he 
now discharges the duties of this office, with three other 
offices, as well as the presidency of Baylor University, and the 
pastorate of Independence church. He is now occupied on 
works for the press, among them the 'Life of Sam Houston.' 
Though engaged most of his life as an educator, with happy 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. I7I 

success, he has always had charge of churches in such im- 
portant places as Montgomery, Ala.; Columbus, Vicksburg, 
Yazoo City, Hernando, Miss.; Memphis, Tenn.; Mount Leba- 
non, La.; and Independence, Texas. He is a member of the 
'American Philological Association,' and various college 
societies. He has preached a large number of sermons. 
It is supposed about twenty-five hundred persons have been 
converted through his instrumentality. He has exercised no 
little influence in the denomination, and stands among the 
first as a scholar, a speaker, a theologian, a parliamentarian, 
and a sound, thoroughgoing Baptist, one who has performed a 
large share of that hard work which has given tone and char- 
acter to the Baptist denomination South, and elevated it to its 
present position of power and usefulness." — Baptist Encyclo- 
pedia, pages 289, 290. 

After a long and very able term of service as president of 
Baylor University, Independence, Texas, Dr. Crane died at 
his home in Independence February 26, 1885, greatly hon- 
ored and esteemed. 

Charles Felder Crawford. This name has a familiar 
sound with hundreds upon hundreds of Baptists in Washing- 
ton and Tangipahoa parishes, La., and in Pike and Lincoln 
counties, Miss., and also others adjoining. He was known 
far and wide, and was loved and respected as far as known. 
He was a son of the late Rev. Jesse Crawford, who was 
one of the pioneer preachers of this country. It is almost 
needless to say that his boys had to work on the farm to 
assist in supporting the family, while he was making his long 
journeys, preaching and establishing churches. Hence, they 
never enjoyed very great advantages in the way of educa- 
tion, yet it pleased God to call two of the old pioneer preach- 
er's sons to the work of preaching His gospel; one of them 
still survives, and is yet engaged in the great work. The 
other whose name heads this article, passed quietly and 
sweetly to his reward, on the morning of the 25th of Sep- 
tember, 1886, having been confined to his bed about four 



172 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

months. His affliction was dropsy, and at times his sufferings 
were severe, though he did not seem to realize it, and only 
spoke of the exceeding goodness of God to him. He lingered 
for some time after his condition became serious, but he did 
not murmur. He said to me a few days before he died, "I 
am trying to take Job as a pattern (or model) in my suffer- 
ings. I have a many a time spoken and argued of Job's 
patience, but I have never known anything of the trials till 
now." 

Bro. Crawford, was a tew days over fifty-five years of age, 
and had been actively engaged in the ministry for more than 
twenty-eight years. He united with the church— Union 
church, in Pike county — in his twenty-first year, and soon 
after was married to Miss Frances L. Douglass, who survives 
him, as also does six children, four of whom are grown. The 
presbytery at his ordination consisted of Revs. Calvin Niagee 
and Joseph E. Pounds. 

He preached his last sermon at Beulah church, from this 
text: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be 
afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he 
also is become my salvation," Issiah 12: 2. It is said that 
the sermon was thought to be the best effort of his life. He 
rests in the cemetery of this church (Beulah), where he 
awaits the resurrection of the just. The funeral exercises 
were conducted by Rev. W. H. Schilling, in the presence of a 
weeping and sympathizing congregation. I have no idea how 
many churches he served or how many persons he baptized. 
He was for several years moderator of the Bogue Chito Asso- 
ciation. "Servant of God, well done." T. C. SCHILLING. 

Moses Crowson. Of this laborious and useful man of 
God the author has been able to secure almost absolutely 
nothing From grand-children of his it is ascertained that he 
came in the later years of the first half of this century from 
Alabama to Mississippi; that he was zealous and consecrated; 
that numbers were converted under his preaching in pioneer 
labors in the Columbus, Louisville and Yazoo Associations; 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 173 

and that after years of abounding labors his life was ended a 
number of years since. He eminently deserves mention in 
these pages, if nothing more could be done than write his 
name as one of God's consecrated ministers. 

In the minutes of the State Convention of 1844 it appears 
that Mr. Crowson was employed as a missionary of the con- 
vention, his fields of labor being Carroll, Yalobusha, Talla- 
hatchie and Choctaw counties. He reported one hundred 
and ninety-eight days of labor, two hundred and two sermons, 
and sixteen hundred and thirty miles traveled. The Board 
say: "Elder Crowson has faithfully performed the duties 
assigned him and with one exception has been constantly in 
the field. His reports are of a very encouraging character 
and fully show the great good resulting from missionary labor. 
Bro. Crowson has visited a large portion of his district four 
times during the year, preaching to destitute neighborhoods, 
attending protracted meetings and presenting the Word of 
Life on all proper occasions." 

Rev. T. S. Wright says of him: "This dear brother was 
nearly worn out when I first met him at the first meeting of 
our (the Yazoo) Association. I never heard him preach, 
Bro. Pittman told me he had been a very good and useful 
minister. He attended our Association yearly as long as he 
lived. I know I saw him at several. The brethren lovingly 
spoke of Father Crowson as a walking concordance." 

John P. Culpepper was born in Lawrence county, Miss., 
September 27, 1866. He was reared on the farm, except 
about two months in the summer when he attended the com- 
mon public schools. In the summer of 1881 he was converted 
under the preaching of Rev. R. Drummonds. He joined the 
church in September of the following year and was baptized 
by pastor T. D. Bush, now of Louisiana. ■ He continued on 
the farm until 1884, when his father "set him free," as the 
boys call it, that he might go to school. He was soon found 
in the school room looking into the problems of Davies' Com- 
mon School Arithmetic and searching Smith's Grammar for 



174 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

English. At length he reached the exalted position of teacher. 
About this time he had great expectations of being an M. D. 
at some time in the near future. He had had some thoughts 
and impressions about preaching, but thought about it just as 
little as possible. The Lord pursued him with these impres- 
sions until he yielded to them and was licensed to preach by 
Crooked Creek church September i, 1888. Feeling the great 
need of a thorough preparation for so great a work he entered 
Mississippi College in October of the same year. He was in 
college four sessions, stopping out at the end of the second 
session and teaching one year. He graduated May 31, 1893. 
He was actively engaged in preaching during his college vaca- 
tions. The Lord has greatly blessed his labors. During one 
of his college sessions he was pastor of one church. He is but 
on the threshold of his ministerial career, but if his life is 
spared bids, fair to become a useful minister of Jesus Christ. 
On January 4, 1894, he writes, from the "School of the 
prophets": "wanting a theological training I arrived in Louis- 
ville September 29, 1893, and am laboring to prepare myself 
by God's help to preach Jesus to a lost world." 

W. 5. Culpepper was born in Jasper county, Miss., 
October 17, 1853. He made a profession of religion and was 
baptized by Rev. J. K. Ryan at the age of fourteen. He was 
licensed to preach in the spring of 1882; and was ordained to 
the full work of the ministry in the early part of the fall of 
the same year. He served three churches as pastor and 
attended at the same time a High School in Choctaw county, 
Ala., during 1882 and 1883. In the fall of 1883 he entered 
Howard College, Ala., and spent three years in this institu- 
tion. He was appointed by the State Mission Board of Ala- 
bama, to work in the town of Bessemer, Jefferson county, as 
the town was rapidly building up and there was no Baptist 
church there. Entering upon the work, in a short time he 
organized a church there with twenty-two members, Dr. D. 
I. Purser, of New Orleans, then of Birmingham, assisting in 
the organization. Within six or eight months the church had 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 175 

a house of worship and a membership of sixty-five. After 
preaching for the church at Bessemer for nearly two years he 
had a church well organized and a good Sunday school. About 
this time he received an invitation to the pastorate of the Sec- 
ond church, Meridian, then called Calvary Baptist church, 
now largely represented in the Forty-first avenue church. He 
accepted this invitation and was pastor of Calvary Baptist 
church, Meridian, for two years. During this pastorate he 
added to the church forty-three by baptism, and sixty-four by 
letter. He resigned, however, at the end of the first year, 
but the church refusing to accept his resignation, he was in- 
duced to remain with them as pastor for another year. 

After the close of his pastorate in Meridian Rev. Mr. 
Culpepper spent some months in revival meetings with differ- 
ent churches, in which his labors were greatly blessed. He 
entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall 
of 1893 and has spent one session there in the excellent train- 
ing furnished by that institution. During this session just 
past he studied Systematic Theology, Old and New Testa- 
ment Interpretation, and Homiletics. He says: "It is my 
purpose to return to Mississippi and probably spend my life in 
the State." 

W. G. Curry, ['son of Allen H. Curry, was born in 
Monroe county, Ala., September 11, 1843; was baptized in 
1858, at fourteen years of age; removed to Louisiana the same 
year and was there licensed to preach at the age of sixteen, 
and spent some time at school in that State; returned to Ala- 
bama in i860, and entered school at the Newton Academy, 
and obtained a liberal education; in 1861 entered the Confed- 
erate army as a volunteer, and served as a private soldier two 
years, when, 'in consideration of a faithful discharge of duty,' 
he was made chaplain of the Fifth Alabama Regiment, in 
which capacity he served to the close of the war. He was 
ordained to the ministry while in the army, at Orange Court 
House, Va., by order of the Pineville church, Alabama, of 
which he was a member, Drs. Quarles, J. W. Jones, W. F. 



176 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Broaddus, and Rev. Mr. Marshall acting as the presbytery. 
On returning home he became pastor of Monroeville, Bellville, 
Pineville, and Bethany churches, a relation which he sus- 
tained with eminent success until he undertook the work of 
evangelist, in 1877, under appointment of the Alabama State 
Mission Board, in which position he rendered most successful 
service for two years. After this he returned to the pastorate 
at Snow Hill, Ala. Mr. Curry is a fluent speaker and a 
gifted preacher. He is one of our most trusted pastors, and 
he is still growing in all the elements of ministerial power." — 
Baptist Encyclopedia, page 302. 

In March, 1894, while in the midst of a successful pastorate 
at Livingston, Ala., Rev. Mr. Curry was invited to the 
pastorate of the important church at Aberdeen, Miss., made 
vacant by the resignation and departure of Rev. A. J. Miller 
to Yazoo City. This invitation was accepted and he entered 
upon the duties of his pastorate there April 1, 1894. He met 
with the Baptist State Convention in Winona, July, 1894, 
but was a silent participant in its proceedings. He is most 
heartily welcomed to the great Baptist brotherhood of Missis- 
sippi. 

Richard Curtis, the first Baptist preacher whoever lived 
in Mississippi, came to the State from South Carolina, in 
company with his father, Richard Curtis, Sr., and his large 
family, in the spring of 1780. He was then a young man of 
twenty-five, and so was burn in 1755, but whether in Virginia 
or South Carolina cannot be ascertained. His father married 
a young widow in Dinwiddie county, Va., about 1747 or 1748, 
and not much can be learned of the family until the breaking 
out of the Revolutionary War, in 1775, when they were 
found living on the Great Pedee river in South Carolina, 
about sixty miles from Charleston. 

When Mr. Curtis, with his father and numerous rel- 
atives, settled in the Natchez country near the mouth of 
Cole's creek, he was a licensed preacher. His father died 
November 10, 1784, and by this time his son, Richard, had 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 1 77 

become quite a preacher. On mutual consultation these 
pious colonists had determined to maintain meetings at pri- 
vate dwellings for exhortation, reading and expounding the 
Scriptures and prayer and, in these meetings, the gifts of 
Curtis had been developed. His services were requested 
in other American communities and were blessed in the 
quickening of Christians and conversion of unbelievers. A 
number of persons were converted and desired baptism. 
There was no ordained preacher present. Upon seeking ad- 
vice from the home church these early Baptists were advised 
to appoint one of their number to baptize the new converts. 
Richard Curtis was unanimously chosen to perform this ser- 
vice. Among these were two zealous men, William Hamber- 
lin and Steven De Alvo, who became earnest co-laborers of 
Curtis in religious work. This country was under Catholic 
domination and these successes of Curtis aroused the 
opposition of the Catholics, and they determined to crush out 
this heresy. The Spanish Governor, Gayoso, wrote a 
respectful letter to Mr. Curtis, urging him to desist from what 
was unlawful in a Catholic country. Mr. Curtis replied to 
this with bluntness and severity and conveyed the impression 
that he purposed "to persevere in what he had deliberately 
conceived to be his duty." He was immediately arrested and 
carried before Gov. Cayoso, April 6, 1795. After the investi- 
gation "he was assured if he did not unequivocally promise 
to desist from all public preaching he would be sent, with 
several of his adherents, especially Hamberlin and De Alvo, 
to work in the silver mines of Mexico." 

He promised to refrain from what was open violation of 
the laws of the province. He afterwards felt compunctions 
of conscience about his promise, and on consultation with his 
brethren decided that the law forbidding them to meet for pub- 
lic worship other than the Catholic, did not prevent them 
from holding meetings for conference, prayer and exhortation. 
So such meetings were held, but with care and secrecy, and 
with sentinels to report the presence of suspicious persons. 
But these meetings were known, and they, with another cir- 



I7§ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

cumstance, enraged the priesthood and Spanish officers. 

"David Greenleaf, an accomplished young gentleman 
from the north, had gained the heart and hand of Miss Phoebe 
Jones, daughter of John Jones (who was a half brother of 
Richard Curtis); but such was their sense of the wrongs 
inflicted on the connection by the Catholic hierarchy that 
they resolved not to be united in marriage by either priest or 
Spanish officer. They, moreover, believed that Richard 
Curtis, the uncle of Miss Jones, was as duly authorized in the 
sight of God to solemnize the rites of matrimony as any one 
else, and made application to him accordingly, He consented, 
with the understanding that all the preliminaries, including 
the marriage ceremony, were to be conducted as quietly as 
possible, and kept a secret as long as was consistent with 
truth and honor. But no one, not even the parents of Miss 
Jones, were willing to risk the consequences of having the 
marriage performed in their house. So arrangements were 
made for Mr. Greanleaf to go, on the 24th of May, 1795, with 
a few select young gentlemen — including Jonathan Jones, the 
father of the writer— to the village of Gayoso, which was 
situated on the bluff of the Mississippi river, about eighteen 
miles above Natchez, and procure the license from the proper 
officer, who was probably an American, and sympathized with 
that class of the community. Then, considerably after 
nightfall, he was to be found on the road, two or three miles 
south of Greenville, going in the direction of Natchez. In the 
mean time the bridal party, including Mr. Curtis, were to be 
taking an evening ride in the opposite direction, and, lest 
some traitorous person might accidentally fall in with either 
party, they agreed upon a sign and countersign; the bridal 
party giving the sign when they met amid the darkness of the 
night, and the other party returning the countersign in case 
all was well; but if any suspicious persons had fallen in with 
either party, they were to pass in silence. At the appointed 
time and place the parties met, and one of the bridal party 
announced the mysterious word, but there was no response 
and they passed without recognition. The young men could 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 179 

not forego the pleasure of a little innocent amusement in con- 
nection with a wedding, so they had determined to have it at 
the expense of the bridal party. 'Who on earth can they be?' 
inquired one in a suppressed tone. 'It's them,' said another, 
'and something has happened.' A settled gloom was coming 
down on that lovely young bride and her party, when the 
mischievous young gentlemen wheeled suddenly about and 
gave the countersign. The party alighted near the residence 
of William Stampley, on what is known as 'Stampley's Hill,' 
and by torch light, under the wide-spread boughs of an 
ancient oak, the marriage ceremony was performed, which 
was concluded by an impressive prayer offered up by Mr. 
Curtis, long talked of by those who were present. The par- 
ties remounted, the light was extinguished, and each sought 
concealment in the privacy of home. Of course the marriage 
was not long kept a secret." — Protestantism in Miss. p. 36. 

"Mr. Curtis' participation in this affair, and the current 
rumors that he had violated his pledge to desist from preach- 
ing, and was actually holding secret meetings with his people, 
re-aroused the fury of the Catholics, and they determined to 
strike a decisive and final blow at the ring leaders of this little 
Protestant community," 

"The 22rd of August, 1795, was a quiet Sabbath, with 
all of its holy associations inviting the devout worshippers to 
assemble at the house of prayer. It was the private residence 
of one of their number, in what was then and is still known 
as 'Stampley 's Settlement.' on the south fork of Cole's 
Creek." Orders had secretly been issued by the authorities 
for the arrest of Richard Curtis, William Hamberlin and 
Steven De Alvo. 

"The pickets had been properly posted on all the roads, 
and the little persecuted fraternity of Baptists were, in sub- 
dued tones, conducting their worship, when the sentinel on 
the Natchez road came in hurriedly and announced the ap- 
pearance of five men, which he took to be a Spanish orficer 
and his posse. The religious services closed immediately, and 
Messrs. Curtis, Hamberlin and DeAlvo hastened to a neighbor- 



180 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ing thicket to conceal themselves, knowing that they were 
peculiarly obnoxious to the hierarchy at Natchez. The oth- 
ers adjusted themselves with apparent carelessness about the 
house and yard, when the unwelcome visitors rode up, and, 
with characteristic self-importance, inquired, 'What are you 
all doing here?' They replied, 'We are not harming any- 
body; we always suspend our secular avocations on the Sab- 
bath, and either rest at home or spend our time in such inter- 
course with each other as suits us.' 'We wish to see Dick 
Curtis, Bill Hamberlin and Steve DeAlvo, either one or all of 
them; where are they to be found this morning?' authorita- 
tively inquired this embodiment of papal intolerance, to which 
an evasive answer was given, such as, 'We don't exactly 
know — somewhere in the neighborhood, we suppose.' The 
officer then announced the fact that he had come with orders 
from Gov. Gayoso to arrest these three rebels, preparatory 
to their being sent to work in the silver mines in Mexico for 
the remainder of their lives, and if any man should be found 
aiding and abetting either their concealment or escape, he 
should suffer the like penalty." — Protestantism in Mississippi. 

PP- 37, 39- 

Although the authorities sought for them several days 
Curtis and his friends did make their escape, through the 
assistance of Chloe Holt (mentioned in "Introductory") and 
through many perils made their way on horseback to South 
Carolina, the former home of Rev. Mr. Curtis. They reached 
South Carolina in safety and remained there in exile from 
their homes until the Natchez territory passed from under 
Spanish rule into the dominion of the Stars and Stripes by the 
evacuation of Fort Rosalie, March 30, 1789. During these 
three years Rev. Mr. Curtis had improved in preaching and 
had been ordained to the full work of the ministry. Letters 
from their friends informed him and his companions of the 
change of government and assured them of a warm welcome 
back home. The presbytery who ordained him were Revs. 
Benjamin Mosely and Mathew McCuIlans. Upon receiv- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. l8l 

ing the good news from home the exiles at once returned to 
their Mississippi home. 

"It was Saturday night, and Messrs. Curtis, Hamberlin 
and DeAlvo were within half a day's ride of home. At early 
dawn they resumed their journey, thinking it no harm to 
travel a little on Sunday under such circumstances. They 
separated, and each was making for his home, when Mr. 
Curtis fell in with cheerful companies of former acquaintances 
on their way to 'the house of prayer.' They assured him 
that he would not find his wife and children at home, for by 
that hour they were certainly on their way to church, so he 
turned with the company to the house of God. When they 
arrived at the church, Mrs. Curtis, with her household, had 
not. yet made their appearance, but he was assured that all 
were well, and that they certainly would soon be there; and 
as the hour for preaching had come the brethren insisted on 
his going immediately into the pulpit and preaching them a 
sermon. He submitted, and while, with head depressed be- 
low the book-board, he was turning to his hymn and text, his 
wife came in, unobserved by him, and quietly took her usual 
place by the wall. The congregation being mostly within 
doors — and waiting one for another — no one gave her an in- 
timation of the presence of her long-exiled husband. When 
he rose up she looked at the pulpit to see who was going to 
officiate, and seeing it was her own beloved, long-lost, but 
now restored, husband, it was more than her womanly heart 
could endure in silence. She shrieked and swooned away, 
and was borne from the house in an unconscious state. Cold 
ablutions were resorted to, and consciousness soon restored; 
and the cordial greeting and soothing words of her husband 
soon quieted her nerves. All returned to the church, and 
Elder Curtis — as we shall henceforth call him — preached an 
appropriate and feeling sermon." — Protestantism in Missis- 
sippi, pp. 46, 47. 

"Our hitherto oppressed and down-trodden Baptist com- 
munity met in conference, and, under the superintendence of 
their beloved Elder Curtis, who presided as moderator, they 



182 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

completed their organization 'in due and ancient form,' as a 
regular Baptist church. This * * * could not have 
taken place earlier than the summer of 1798. Their first 
church was called Salem, i. e., peace, and stood among the up- 
per branches of the South Fork of Cole's Creek, in Jefferson 
county, on what is still known as 'the Salem road.' Their 
usual place of immersion was in Harper's Fork." Rev. Mr. 
Curtis was the first pastor, but how long he filled the pastor- 
ate cannot be ascertained. "If ever," continues Mr. Jones, 
Protestantism in Mississippi, from whom we have, quoted so 
largely, "the history of this branch of the general church in 
Mississippi is correctly written, honorable mention will be 
made of Elder Curtis and his worthy coadjutors, who breasted 
the oppression and persecution of the Papal hierarchy for 
nearly eighteen years." 

"Elder Curtis died October 28, i8n,atthe house of a 
friend on Beaver Creek, in Amite county, where he had gone 
to seek medical relief from a cancer that occasioned his death. 
Inquiry has been made for his grave, of late years, in view of 
placing a suitable monument on it, but it has not been found. 
" 'His ashes lie, no marble tells us where; 

With his name no bard embalms or sanctifies his song.' " 
— Protestantism in Mississippi, pp. 48, 49. 

A monument to Rev. Richard Curtis has been erected, at 
the home of Dr. Kimbrew, one-half mile from Ebenezer 
church, Mississippi Association. Dr. W. H. Roberts, of Cen- 
treville visited it a few years since, and says: "It is a sim- 
ple, plain and appropriate obelisk, about ten feet high, bear- 
ing the name, RICHARD CURTIS," with dates of birth and 
death and other suitable words. 

J. A. Dalton was born in Halifax county, Tenn., March 
5, 1858. He moved with his parents to Mississippi in i860. 
Later than this he suffered the great misfortune of losing his 
father who died in 1862, and in his boyhood was confronted 
with many adverse circumstances. Still he plodded along, 
assisting his widowed mother the best he could, until, leaving 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 183 

her provided for, he left the parental roof and cast his lot in 
Texas. While there he led a wild life upon the plains follow- 
ing herds of cattle and ponies. But God met with him. 
While in the "Lone Star State" he heard the renowned evan- 
gelist, Maj. W. E. Penn while holding one of his meetings at 
Weatherford, Texas, in 188 1. He became greatly interested 
white the evangelist was preaching upon the subject of the 
"Judgment." The impression wore off. He came back to 
Mississippi in 188 1. He was never made to feel any further 
religious concern until in 1883, when he heard a local Meth- 
odist preacher named W. R. Perry, in a series of meetings. 
After a few days he was led to trust in Christ and fix a pur- 
pose to serve Him and abide in this faith for life. But after 
this profession he acknowledges being tossed about by the 
strong worldly currents of pleasure. There were worldly 
amusements which, like many others, he felt it impossible to 
give up. Over these, however, he at length became victori- 
ous and united with the Spring Creek Baptist church near 
Cumberland, Webster county, Miss., in 1886. He served the 
church as clerk until 1889. In 1891 he was licensed by the 
church to preach, and in 1893 was ordained to the full work 
of the gospel ministry. Since that time he has been actively 
engaged in the work of the ministry, ' 'with a determined mind, 
by the help of God, to save souls for Christ." 

J. M. Dalton was born in Lawrence county, Tenn. He 
professed religion in 1850; united with Bethany Baptist 
church and was baptized in 1852 by Rev. Jacob Bryant. The 
duty of preaching the gospel was strongly impressed on his 
mind from the time of his conversion, and, although having 
no peace of mind on the subject he determined not to yield. 
At length, however, he realized that God's people are a 
willing people in the day of His power and yielded to the 
strong impressions of duty. He moved to Chickasaw county, 
Miss., in 1856 and in 1859 united with Prairie Creek church. 
He served as church clerk until 1862, when he was liberated 
to preach, and entered at once upon active labor. He was 



184 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

called to ordination by Double Springs church, and served that 
church for three years. He was also chosen to preach for a 
community in which was what was called an "arm" of 
Double Springs church. He was pastor of Double Springs 
church, preaching monthly, and of Spring Valley church, 
preaching monthly. 

During the first year of his pastorate he baptized one 
hundred and twenty-five persons. The presbytery ordain- 
ing him consisted of Revs. W. W. Finley, William Gordon 
and John Powell. The following are the churches he has 
served as pastor and the duration of the pastorates, remem- 
bering that all the while four pastorates are cotemporaneous: 
Double Springs, seven years in all; Big Creek, three years; 
Spring Valley, seven years; Hebron, three years; Montpelier, 
nine years; Wakeforest, three years; County Line, three 
years; Four Mile, four years; Spring Hill, two years; Sun 
Creek, three years; Mount Moriah, two years. These churches 
are in the Louisville, Zion and Columbus Associations. In 
1882 he was pastor of Fellowship, Berea, and Mount Olivet 
churches, in the Louisville Association. Of the churches 
mentioned above, these were constituted through his labors: 
Big Creek, Montpelier, County Line, Spring Valley, and 
Four Mile. 

He says: "I have passed through many precious revivals, 
and, as nearly as I can estimate, have baptized for my 
churches between six and seven hundred persons. In gen- 
eral, I have been poorly compensated for my labors in a 
pecuniary way, but I feel that I have been richly rewarded 
by divine blessings, for which let God be praised. When I 
realize how little I have done for the Master it causes me much 
regret." In 1893 Rev. Mr. Dalton was still living at his 
home in Dido, Choctaw county, where he has lived for a 
number of years. 

William J. David was born near Meridian, Lauderdale 

ounty, Miss., September 28, 1850. He was baptized by 

Rev. J. B. Hamberlin into the fellowship of the Meridia n 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 185 

Baptist church, August, 1867. He attended school at that 
place, and went to Mississippi College, at Clinton, to prepare 
for the ministry, under the recommendation of the Meridian 
church, by which he was licensed to preach. After some 
missionary labors, he went to Crozier Theological Seminary, 
at Upland, Penn. He was ordained in Meridian, at the 
Bethlehem Association, September 25, 1873, by Revs. Colum- 
bus Smith, J. B. Hamberlin, T. J. Walne and L. M. Stone. 

The superintendent of the Meridian Sunday school adds: 
"May the Lord indeed make Willie David a great blessing; 
his first missionary work was done here, in connection with 
our school, having gathered in twenty-four scholars in the 
space of three months!" 

Rev. Mr, David was appointed a missionary of the For- 
eign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention to 
Lagos, Africa, in 1875, and sailed quite soon. He, with Rev. 
W. W. Colley, arrived in Lagos, October 14, 1875. He wrote: 
"Brother Colley and I are pleased that we are to go to Lagos 
and Yoreuba, instead of Liberia, as our hearts have been 
there all the while. Lagos and its environs number some 
sixty-five thousand inhabitants. It is called the 'Liverpool 
of Western Africa,' and is becoming one of the most healthful 
towns on the coast." Of his reception Rev. Mr. David wrote 
to the Board: "Soon after I went ashore I was visited by 
about forty-five of our members — some from the interior. I 
do not think I ever saw a people so rejoiced. Immediately 
they had a meeting in their bamboo chapel to thank God, 
who had answered their prayers. It was a mutual thanks- 
giving. Though we did not understand each other's language, 
except through an interpreter, our heavenly Father knew our 
hearts. I baptized three candidates. Others applied, but I 
advised them to await my return." 

In the summer of 1877 he was smitten with disease and 
sun stroke so that his life was imperilled and it became neces- 
sary for him to make a trip to England for medical treatment. 
He received the necessary medical treatment, traveled awhile 
on the continent at the expense of a liberal friend and started 



186 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

back to Africa February 23, 1878, improved in health but not 
fully restored, reaching his work in March. 

In the latter portion of 1878 Rev. Mr. David returned to 
the United States, arriving in Richmond, October 17,1878. 
On November 17, 1878, he was married to Miss Nannie V. 
Bland, daughter of the late Rev. W. F. Bland, of Chesterfield 
county, Va. With grave doubts as to the wisdom of a woman- 
missionary going to Africa, the Board, induced by the earnest 
petition of Rev. Mr. David, resolved that he and his wife 
might go, so soon as funds should be provided. Rev. Mr., 
and Mrs. David sailed from New York for Africa, December 
8, 1879, "followed by the prayers of many anxious and loving 
hearts that they might abide under the shadow of the 
Almighty." 

In May, 1885, he set out on another homeward trip, with 
his wife and children, for the benefit of his wife's health. 
They had lost an infant boy May 20, 1884. On 7th of May, 
1885, Mrs. David was attacked with malignant fever, and 
the homeward voyage was immediately begun; but too late, 
for May 28, 1885, she fell on sleep, on board the vessel and 
next morning was buried in the ocean. Her dying words 
were: "Never give up Africa." 

Rev. Mr. David was married on December 15, 1885, in 
the Shuqualak Baptist church to Mrs. Justa Greer, an excel- 
lent and consecrated Christian woman of that town. Rev. Mr. 
and Mrs. David, with her two children of a former marriage, 
sailed for Africa on the steamship "Celtic" January 10, 1886, 
arriving in Lagos February 27. 

About three years later Rev. Mr. and Mrs, David and 
family returned, he needing and receiving a sick leave from 
his mission. Circumstances not favoring their return, they 
ultimately located in the city of Meridian, where they began 
at once to work for the Lord. In a few years Rev. Mr. David 
was largely instrumental in building up what is now the 
Fifteenth Avenue Baptist church of which he has been pastor 
since its organization, and which has prospered greatly under 
his ministration. Its influence is indeed a "light" in the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 187 

magic city. Rev. Mr. David is said to be one of the very 
best of pastors and his wife is certainly an excellent pastor's 
wife. 

John Henry Davis. The subject of this article died at 
his home near Palona, Leake county, Mississippi, on Friday, 
the 20th day of March, 1891, after a painful illness of two 
weeks. It was my pleasure and my profit to be intimately 
associated with him during the whole of his life, and I know 
the varied impulses and motives that prompted his every 
action, as well as it is possible for one man to know the 
thoughts of another. He was a man of marked character, 
pronounced in all his views and zealous in all his undertak- 
ings. 

Born in the year 1847, he was only a boy during the late 
war, but his devotion to the Southern cause was with him a 
principle so strong as to impel him, even against the remon- 
strance of parents and friends, to enter the army at the age 
of sixteen. After the war he followed the peaceful pursuit of 
farming — a calling so conducive to the development, of that 
moral and religious instinct in every man's nature. He has 
been a member of the Missionary Baptist church for the last 
twelve years, and five years ago was ordained to preach the 
gospel of Christ. Since then he has spent the greater part of 
his time in the service of his Master; and if the good he did 
here is to be judged by the number of souls converted under 
his preaching, he will not go into the presence of his Maker 
"empty handed." That faith which had guided him all along 
his Christian journey, supported and sustained him in death, 
so that, while struggling with the grim monster, he was en- 
abled to praise God for giving him the victory and robbing 
death of its sting. In the prime of his life — in the springtime 
of his ministry — in the midst of his usefulness, he was taken 
away; and a wound was made in my heart that will never be 
healed. Surely "God moves in a mysterious way, his won- 
ders to perform." He left a devoted wife, two sons and two 
daughters to mourn his loss. To these I would say: If you 



188 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

would find surcease of sorrow, it must be in the humble sub- 
mission and obedience to the will of God, ever remembering 
that, though the dust of your loved one lies mouldering in the 
ground, his spirit — that noble part of his nature, which sur- 
vives the grave and bids defiance to the tomb — has crossed 
over the river and is ''resting under the shade of the trees," 
waiting for you. — BROTHER. 




Wade Hampton Da- 
vis. Of this excellent 
minister the following 
short note occurs in the 
writer's -History of Col- 
umbus Association, 1891: 
"W. H. Davis, for a num- 
ber of years past a citizen 
of West Point, is a man 
of fine abilities and large 
attainments. He has 
been an active educator, 
for which he is eminently 
qualified. For a number 
of years, at different 
times, he has been pas- 
tor of the church where 
WADE HAMILTON DAVIS. he lives, also of other 

prominent churches in the body. Although a thorough and 
accurate scholar and a most excellent pulpit orator, he is so 
reticent and unobtrusive in his disposition that he does not 
pass for his worth. He could not be induced to furnish the 
facts of his life for a sketch here. He is now the esteemed 
pastor at West Point, and the pulpit orator of the Associ- 
ation." 

Since his death the following has been contributed by 
one who knew him well and loved him with filial affection: 
"The task of writing an ordinary biographical sketch is 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 189 

usually not a very arduous one. Dates and facts are easily 
obtained from friends and relatives of the deceased. A birth, 
a conversion, perhaps little incidents of school life, the bus- 
iness or profession followed, marriage, success and failures, a 
few judicious words of eulogy, and finally death crowning all; 
your sketch is complete. But when one undertakes to con- 
vey in words some idea of the work of a life consecrated to 
God, and its far reaching effects — such a life as that of Rev. 
W. H. Davis — the difficulty is obvious, especially when the 
subject is dear to the heart of the writer. 

* 'Three years and three months ago all that was mortal 
of Rev. W. H. Davis was laid to rest beneath the whispering 
pines of the beloved State in which most of his ministerial 
work was done. Although a native Kentuckian, he became 
fondly attached to the scenes of his labors in Mississippi, and 
it was meet that when his work was done, his body should 
rest in the bosom of his adopted State. 

"Wade Hampton Davis was born in Christian county, 
Kentucky, November 20, 183 1. He was the fourth son of 
Clement Davis, who was engaged in the war of 1812, and was 
well known to the early settlers of Christian county. At the 
age of ten he was sent to school near his father's home. When 
he was fourteen his father died. His mother was left with a 
large family to support. Although so young, he was ambi- 
tious, and determined to succeed in the face of every diffi- 
culty. Working on his mother's. farm, he used to sit upon his 
plow beam and study while resting his horse. Such deter- 
mination and perseverence always succeeds. His case was 
no exception to the rule. A few years later he taught a 
country school, saving his earnings to start to college. 

"In November, 1847, at the age of sixteen he accepted 
Christ as his Savior, and joined the Concord Baptist church, 
in Christian county. He was baptized by Rev. S. A. Hol- 
land, then pastor of that church. Three years later the 
church granted him license to preach. Shortly afterwards he 
entered college at Georgetown, Ky, Before he finished the 
course there, he went to Brown University, Providence, R. 



190 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

I., where he acquired two modern languages. Returning to 
Georgetown he was graduated with honor. Very soon he 
took charge of the church of Portland, Indiana, just across 
the river from Louisville. Here he was ordained in Febru- 
ary, 1857, Revs. W. W. Everts, T. J. Drane, and A. Broad- 
dus acting as presbytery. The following year he was married 
and settled in his native country. Here he was pastor of 
several churches. In i860, just as the cloud of disunion was 
darkening the horizon of 'the States,' he moved to Missouri, 
intending to make there a permanent home. Hostility be- 
tween the two principal parties was very violent in that 
state, and Mr. Davis, sympathizing with the Confederacy, 
was obliged to sacrifice his property and seek> refuge in his 
old Kentucky home. After his return he preached to Salem 
and South Union churches. Though often compelled to aban- 
don his pulpit by the invading forces of Union soldiers, he 
earnestly and constantly engaged in his Master's service. 

"His first sermon was from the text: 'Except ye repent 
ye shall all likewise perish.' This selection was character- 
istic, for none was more fearless in the denunciation of sin 
than he. Often he almost entranced his audience by his 
bold graphic pen-pictures illustrative of the awful fate of the 
impenitent sinner. As the war was drawing to a close Mr. 
Davis lost his wife. Doubly sad was this bereavement, as 
three little children were left to his care. During that year 
and the next he was engaged in ministerial work in Ten- 
nessee as well as Kentucky. 

"In 1866 he again married and moved to West Point, 
Miss., where for twenty years he made his home. Here he 
held the most successful revival of his life, if we may judge 
by the number of accessions to the church — not always an in- 
fallible test. During this period of his life he held pastorates 
at various times at West Point, Macon, Brooksville, Siloam, 
Deer Brook, Tampico and Cobb's Switch. He held many 
revival meetings, usually attended with marked success. 
Mr. Davis won many friends in this section, by his upright 
life and sterling qualities of character. Dignified in bearing 






MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 191 

and reserved in manner always, he had a warm heart, full of 
love for his fellowmen. 

"In 1887 he moved with his family to South Mississippi. 
At various times he had charge of the following churches: 
Palestine, Silver Creek, Monticello, Westviile and Hebron. 
During the last two years of his life, owing to impaired health, 
he was not actively engaged in pastoral or ministerial work. 
His last year on earth was spent in educational work, at 
Burns, Miss. He gave such satisfaction that the school was 
offered to him permanently. He accepted the offer, and had 
commenced to build a home, when he received the summons 
to 'come up higher,' to 'a house not made with hands, eternal 
in the heavens.' Alas, for the frailty of human plans! His 
sudden death on the 9th of November, 1890, in his fifty-ninth 
year, seemed untimely. They laid him to rest 

" 'Upon the pillow green 

Of a still church-yard grave.' 

"No human voice breaks the stillness there. No human 
footstep crushes the grass that Nature spreads over that lowly 
couch. And if some lonely mourner should stand by the 
white slab marking his resting place, he would hear only the 
soft notes of a bird in the cedars near by, and the wind sigh- 
ing and moaning in the pines overhead, but if he could rightly 
interpret these voices of Nature, they would whisper to his 
heart, 'All is well!' Mr. Davis left a wife, six children, 
many relatives and hosts of friends, who lament his death, but 
'not as those who have no hope.' 

"The resurrection was a favorite theme of his. To 
quote from one of his glowing sermons: 'Despair no longer 
broods over the dying pillow. Unmingled darkness hangs not 
over the grave. Although the trial is bitter — to observe the 
wasting of the form of one we dearly love, to note his chang- 
ing looks, and behold his sinking strength; and bitter though 
it is to listen to his last choking words, receive his last fond 
look and gaze with bursting heart on the convulsive twitches 
of his countenance; yet this grief is assuaged by the firm 
assurance that that fading form, that changing countenance, 



192 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

we shall look upon again, when the traces of suffering shall 
have left it forever, and the fires of immortal life shall light up 
those eyes more brightly than ever." — S. E. D. 

His death occurred at his home, near Burns, Miss., 
November 9, 1890, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, "He 
giveth His beloved sleep." 

W. E. Dear was born in Rankin county, Miss., Nov. 1, 
1865, his father having died one month earlier. His mother, 
though of a delicate constitution, had the care of five little 
fatherless boys. She survived the father about ten years 
when she too was called to her eternal reward. So at the 
age of ten, young Dear was left alone in the world wholly 
unfit to steer his bark. He drifted along fonseveral years. 
While a small boy he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his 
Saviour and was baptized by Rev. R. W. Hall into the fel- 
lowship of Mountain Creek Baptist church. At the age of 
nineteen he went to Mississippi College without the means in 
sight to keep him in school for one session. He joined the 
"Frying-pan Brigade" and by this means was able to stay in 
school eight months. He was thus prepared to teach a pub- 
lic school and in this way saved money to return to college. 
But his course of study, first out and then in, was necessarily 
irregular. It was while in college that the church of which 
he was a member licensed him to preach. He says: "Oh, 
how my soul yearned for some one to talk with me and pray 
with me while under conviction of this duty. I longed for a 
bosom friend. Finally I found one in the person of our dearly 
beloved, J. G. Chastain, who prayed with me and for me 
that God would reveal my duty to me, I now have a child- 
like fondness for Bro. Chastain and his name shall ever be 
most dear to me for all his benefits which I have never been 
able to repay, but God has." 

Mr, Dear's health became very poor before he finished 
school and he was compelled to leave off his studies. He 
went to Morton, Scott county, in the summer of 1890, and 
worked in meetings with Revs. Z. T. Faulkner and A. J, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 193 

Cockroft. He met with encouragement from the brotherhood 
during these labors. In 1891 he was appointed missionary 
and Sunday school evangelist by the State Convention Board 
to labor in the Springfield Association and as missionary pas- 
tor at Morton. In the fall of 1891 he organized a church at 
Morton, consisting of ten members. In the organization he 
was assisted by Drs. J. B. Gambrell and J. T. Christian. 
He was chosen pastor of the new church and went to work to 
build a house of worship. Soon his whole time was filled 
with pastoral duties, but notwithstanding this he and his peo- 
ple soon had a house of worship built and paid for. Soon he 
was invited to become pastor at Carthage and give one-half 
of his time to that pastorate. He accepted the invitation and 
is still (1894) in the pastorate at Carthage, blessed with a 
pleasant field of labor — Carthage, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. 
He has baptized in three years one hundred and twenty- 
seven persons. "Therefore," he says, "my heart greatly 
rejoiceth, and with my song I will praise Him." In a private 
letter he writes: "I have preached every sermon in my work, 
even in protracted meetings, except two weeks. This en- 
dears my people to me more and more. I want to say I 
heartily endorse the Orphanage and when my strength is 
needed you may count on every pound of it." 

James Dennis, the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Wake county, North Carolina, April 2, 1802, and died at his 
residence in DeSoto county, Miss., February 7, 1883. Just 
twenty-four hours after his body became a corpse, it was' 
buried in the Baptist cemetery at Hernando, where it lies in 
peace awaiting the resurrection of the just. Few men have 
had a more interesting or instructive history than the deceased. 
While he was yet a child, his parents left North Carolina, 
and settled in Lincoln county, Term. It was here that re- 
deeming grace accomplished its work in the young and tender 
heart of the wayward boy. And, perhaps, it was here — 
while wealth and fame were picturing to his opening mind the 
enticing scenes of self-gratification — that a "still, small voice" 



194 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

whispered, and bade him enter upon a higher and nobler mis- 
sion than that of seeking personal good; for he was to be an 
ambassador for Christ. 

In 1829 he returned to the State of his nativity, and 
settled in Johnson county. The next account we have of him 
is in 1830, when we find him gathering together the scattered 
Baptists of Smithfield, in his adopted county, and organizing 
them into a church. He is at once chosen pastor, and for 
seventeen years he "goes in and out" before the members as 
their under-shepherd. At the same time, and for the same 
number of years, he serves three other churches in adjacent 
communities. These four churches constituted his first and 
only charge in North Carolina. 

On September 24, 1833, ne led Caroline, daughter of 
Dr. Helme, of Smithfield, to the marriage altar. It was a 
happy and fortunate day for him when he looked upon the 
timid and blushing bride as his companion for life. For nearly 
fifty years this noble woman stood by his side in sickness 
and health, in joy and sorrow, as a true and devoted help- 
meet. Only a few days ago, and these aged disciples were 
standing, hand in hand, listening for the Master's promoting 
call, and when it came, the husband was taken, but the wife 
was left. She is resigned, however, to her state of loneli- 
ness — for it will not be long before she, too, will be called — 
and is able to say with America's sweetest poet: 

"The gold is rifted from the coffer, 

The blade is stolen from the sheath; 
Life has but one more boon to offer, 
And that is — Death. 

"For Death shall bring another waiting, 
Beyond the shadows of the tomb; 
On yonder shore a groom is waiting 
Until I come." 

Bidding adieu to friends and relations in the Old North 
State in November, 1847, an d turning his course westward 
he landed in DeSoto county, Miss., in January, 1848, an 



\ 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 195 

settled four miles south of Hernando, where he resided till the 
day of his death. But while the writer's willing pen would 
gladly trace the history of such a character through all its de- 
tails, the space allotted in a short biographical sketch will not 
permit. Only the most salient points can be noticed, and 
those briefly. To be anything like full in the portrayal of his 
life would be to give a large part of the history of the Cold 
Water Association, for he was so thoroughly identified with 
all its institutions and movements for over thirty-five years 
that, to give the one, would necessarily involve much of the 
other. 

His first appearance as a member of the Cold Water 
Association was in 1848. His pulpit abilities at this time 
must have been good, as he was appointed to preach the Mis- 
sionary Sermon before the Association at its next annual 
meeting. This could not be considered otherwise than as a 
compliment, since the hour for preaching the sermon was at 
eleven o'clock on the Lord's day. In 1849 and 1850 he took 
an active part in the discussions and committee-work of the 
Association, and in 185 1 was elected moderator, and was re- 
elected in 1852, 1853 and 1854. 

From the last given date till 1861 his name appears in the 
minutes as a private member. The records show that, as a 
debater and committeeman during these seven years, he was 
one of the ablest and most prominent in the Association. His 
written reports are among the best, evincing close study and 
careful preparation; while the clerk's comments on his speeches 
indicate that they were always well received, and generally 
convincing. His style of speaking is said to have been 
intensely earnest, strong and nervous. His personal mag- 
netism, as a man and speaker, was very great. He met but 
few persons whom he did not impress favorably. This was 
owing, perhaps, as much to the transparency of a pure char- 
acter as anything else. His motives were never questioned, 
not even by those who had occasion to oppose him. 

In 1 861 he was again chosen moderator. But the tocsin 
of Civil War had been sounded, the States were called to 



196 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

arms, and for four years — long, dreadful years — the minis- 
ters in our Southland were made chaplains and nurses, and 
our meeting houses were converted into hospitals. During 
this time the Association suspended operations, and did not 
resume work till 1865. Bro. Dennis was once more elected 
moderator, and was re-elected in 1866, 1867, 1868, and 1869. 
For the next three years he was permitted to rest from official 
duties; but was elected again in 1873, and re-elected in 1874, 
1875, and once or twice afterwards — but not having the min- 
utes before me the exact dates cannot be given. 

Bringing with him to the State of his adoption character, 
willingness to work, and a finely-balanced mind well stored 
with useful knowledge, as will be seen from the above, he at 
once took a high stand in the ministry of North Mississippi as a 
trusted workman. If any faculty of his mind was superior to 
the others, it was his judgment. This combined with a gen- 
tle and loving nature, made him a general favorite in the 
social circle, on the field of service, and in the council-chamber. 
He was a man who planned carefully, and, consequently, 
made but few mistakes. 

Like Barnabas, he was emphatically a "good man, full of 
the Holy Ghost and of faith;" and as the former was successful 
in winning souls to Christ, so was the latter. Perhaps no 
man ever observed more scrupulously the injunction, "keep 
thyself unspotted from the world," than he. Indeed, it is 
difficult to reconcile his standing — for it was truly exceptional 
with all classes, young and old, believers and unbelievers — 
with the declaration, "and all that would live godly in Christ 
Jesus shall suffer persecution." If he was ever persecuted, 
it has been forgotten by his most intimate friends. But, if 
I would dwell on his personal character, where should 1 begin 
or end? Let those who know him best speak most freely on 
this point. 

Our county paper, in its notice of his death, said: 
"The deceased was a consistent Christian, and was honored 
by his brethren and neighbors as one of the purest men of 
the times." And Bro. Harral, who has known him long and 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS- 197 

intimately in all of the relations of life, said, in a private let- 
ter to the writer: "I did not know that he was dead until I 
received your card. Truly a good man has fallen, and, in his 
day, one of the most useful. Doubtless he has gone up with 
his hands full of sheaves. You canaot say too much in 
praise of him." These statements no doubt reflected the 
sentiment of every one who knew him. He was of that class 
of preachers to which Young, Hayward and Robinson belonged. 
Noblemen of God they were. When shall we see their like 
again? When they yielded to death, it was like the falling of 
the weather-beaten monarchs of the frost, around which the 
vines of ages had entwined themselves for protection from the 
fury of the summer storms and wintry blasts. As the spirit 
of Judaism, as it lingered upon the imagination of George 
Eliot, suffered loss in the death of Mordecai, so it is to be 
found that the hosts of Israel will loose much of their glory 
and beauty when all the names of those Christian heroes 
have gone to history. Let us honor the few who remain 
among us, and seek their counsel; for they are strong men, 
able in the Scriptures and earnest in prayer. Such is a very 
brief history of one of Mississippi's purest and most useful 
sons. W. C. L. 

"C. E. W. Dobbs, D. D., was born in Portsmouth, Va., 
August 12, 1840. He was educated in the art of printing, 
and became editorially connected with the press of Norfolk 
and Portsmouth. He joined the Baptist church at Greens- 
borough, N. C., in 1859, and in i860 entered the Theological 
Seminary at Greenville, S. C., from whence he returned and 
preached to Court Street and Fourth Street churches in 
Portsmouth until 1866, when he moved to Kentucky. After 
serving several churches in Madison county he was called to 
the First church in Bowling Green, and was pastor six years. 
He now (1880) has charge of the Baptist church at Dayton, 
and has been for several years secretary of the Southern 
Baptist Convention, and of the General Association of Ken- 
tucky. Dr. Dobbs has written much for the periodical press, 



19^ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

and published one or two small books." — Baptist Encyclo- 
pedia, p. 338. 

From Dayton Dr. Dobbs moved to Lexington, Kentucky, 
where he was pastor several years. The church at Colum- 
bus, Miss., during the Southern Baptist Convention which 
met with that church in 1881, and of which Dr. Dobbs was 
secretary, had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with 
him. The pastorate there becoming vacant Dr. Dobbs was 
invited to become their pastor. He entered upon the work 
there early in 1885. While pastor in Columbus, besides ac- 
complishing a good work among his people, he became widely 
influential and useful in Baptist affairs in the State. When 
L. S. Foster retired, in December, 1886, from editorial con- 
nection with the Baptist Record, Dr. Dobbs wa's chosen to fill 
the place of associate editor while still performing the duties 
of his pastorate. His able and sprightly editorials were very 
helpful to the work of the denominational paper. Dr. Dobbs 
was keenly alive to the interests of the general work. He 
was always present at the State meetings, and participated 
ably and acceptably in the deliberations. At the organization 
of the Mississippi Baptist Historical Society at Jackson, July, 
1888, Dr. Dobbs presented a historical paper of great interest 
and research on "The Beginnings of English-speaking Bap- 
tists." Two years before, July, 1886, he had delivered the 
Convention sermon when the body met in Meridian. He was 
present at the meeting of the Convention, in 1890, with his 
Columbus church. Soon after this meeting, however, he re- 
ceived and accepted on invitation to the pastorate of the 
church at Cartersville, Ga. While pastor at Cartersville he 
became query editor of the Christian Index, which depart- 
ment he has kept up with great interest, and which he still 
manages with ability, although early this year (1894) he left 
Cartersville and became pastor at Guthrie, Oklahoma. In 
this pastorate he remained only a short time, and within the 
past few months the papers announce that he has secured an 
interest in the Indiana Baptist and that he will move to 
Indianapolis and regularly assume the editorial tripod again. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 199 

Silas Dobbs was one of the pioneer preachers of the 
Louisville Association, and lived, labored and died within its 
bounds. The following was contributed by the late Rev. 
Wm. H. Head, also a member of that Association and an 
acquaintance of Mr. Dobbs. 

"Silas Dobbs was another old-time preacher, like Bro. 
Micou, but from Georgia, and with the impress of Georgia 
Baptists. He was an old man at the time of the organization 
of the Louisville Association, in which I think he took part. 
He was an uneducated man in human learning and not en- 
dowed with any great power of intellect, but 'taught of God.' 
He was moderator of the Association for a time, respected and 
regarded as a good, but not an able preacher. He was a hearty 
believer in the great cardinal doctrines of grace, election, pre- 
destination, final preservation of the saints, etc. So also was 
brother Joseph Robinson; indeed all Baptists held these doc- 
trines, but these two were fonder of preaching them than the 
others. I remember they once labored together in a protracted 
meeting with no other help, and I was told these hard doc- 
trines were thoroughly preached, some part of them discussed 
in every sermon. Contrary to the expectations of some they 
had a warm revival meeting and many were converted. 
They drew water from the deep wells of salvation and there 
was refreshing from the presence of the Lord. 

"In free conversation with his brethren Bro. Dobbs was 
entertaining not in 'foolish talking and jesting,' but with cheer- 
ful light-heartedness. Some of his sallies of pleasantry are 
remembered to-day and will convey a graphic idea of the 
man. Starting to walk with him to a night service and re- 
membering that the path taken led over a fence, the writer 
said, 'Bro. Dobbs, can you climb a fence?' for he was aged 
and inactive. 'I do not know,' he replied, 'but one thing I do 
know, I can jump it.' Again, being put up to preach near the 
close of a series of meetings, he began by saying, 'I feared I 
was not going to get a chance to shoot off my mouth in this 
meeting, and then I could not have gone home satisfied.' 
Again, preaching from the text, Gal. 3:29: 'If ye be 



20O MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed,' he said: 'If; this is 
an important little word here. I am reminded of a man who, 
seeing a wild turkey in a tall tree, and deliberately raising his 
rifle to his face, said, 'Now I'll kill you,' but seeing the turkey 
fly away, added, 'if I can.' One more only: Passing on a 
week day a meeting house, where there seemed to be some 
service going on, he dismounted from his horse and went in. 
It proved to be a Methodist circuit rider's appointment and 
only a few persons in attendance. Bro. Dobbs took a seat 
on the right of the preacher where no one sat but himself. 
The minister was preaching on apostasy, as held by the 
Methodists, from the text, Ezek. 18:24, and, repeatedly turn- 
ing to his right, would ask with an air of triumph, 'And what 
kind of righteousness do you call that?' Impatient at hearing 
salvation by works, Bro. Dobbs at last answered, M call that 
a law righteousness, sir.' 'Humph,' said the preacher, 'Bro. 
Dobbs I was not expecting that from you.' 'You asked me,' 
said Bro. Dobbs, 'and I only answered.' The preacher be- 
came somewhat confused, and never got off on his high horse 
again. My sketch is perhaps too extended." 

"Bro. Dobbs was a representative of a class of preach- 
ers and a style of preaching now nearly passed away. Some- 
thing has been gained by progress, and something lost per- 
haps. Baptists generally do not, I think, enjoy doctrinal 
preaching as formerly. The term as now used seems to 
mean rather denominational preaching, such as on baptism, 
etc. The old paths are the good ways to walk in to find rest 
for our souls, Jer. 6:16. The funeral of Bro. Dobbs and his 
son together was preached by the writer just after the close 
of the war, in 1865 perhaps. 

Mr. Dobbs was father of Rev. D. H. Dobbs, late of 
Texas, and W. A. Dobbs, of Choctaw county, Miss., an ac- 
tive layman, Benedict says (in History of the Baptists, p. 
773): "The Louisville Association was organized in 1838. As 
has already been stated, it arose out of the old Choctaw Con- 
federacy. It began with ten churches, and on ground which, 
as far as our denomination is concerned, was cultivated by 



MiSSiSSIPPi BAPTIST PREACHERS. 20 1 

Rev. Silas Dobbs, Joel Harvey, G. E. Nash, J. J. Morehead 
and J. J. Holman." 

William Perry Dorrill was born in Spartanburg district, 
S. C, December 2, 1837, and in 1839 his father moved to 
Cobb county, Georgia. In 1844 he moved to Cass county, 
same State, where William received his education in the log: 
cabin school houses of those days. His father was a farmer 
and he worked on the farm to help make a living. God was 
graciously pleased to awaken him by the Holy Spirit to a 
sense of his sinfulness when he was quite young. He was 
blessed with the privilege of living in the atmosphere of 
Christianity. His mother and father were both devout, 
humble children of God, and his grandmother contributed no 
little to his religious training, often rehearsing little incidents 
of bad boys and showing him how badly such conduct looked 
and how sinful it was. He thanks God to-day for those re- 
ligious influences. In his fifteenth year, during a series of 
meetings in August or September, 1852, God accompanied his 
preached word by the Holy Spirit to his heart and he was 
awakened to a full sense of his lost condition as a sinner. 
After trying, by good resolutions, and by reforming his life, to 
appease the wrath of God, and failing to secure peace of soul, 
he was led to a full trust in Christ for salvation. Then he 
received pardon and peace; his burden of guilt was gone; hope 
sprang up in his heart; he rejoiced in hope of God's glory, 
feeling that JESUS was his Savior. Very soon after obtain- 
ing this hope of salvation through Jesus Christ he began to 
think of other boys, his comrades who were inquiring the 
way of life, (for the meeting was still in progress). He saw 
the way so plainly it seemed that he could explain it to them 
so that they could see it and be saved. There was made an 
impression on his mind to tell them of Jesus as a Savior, and 
that impression became a burden on his heart which has never 
left him. At the close of that meeting he, with a number of 
others, was baptized, by Rev. John (he was familiarly called 
"Uncle Jack") Crawford, into the fallowship of Oothcaloga 



202 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

church, one mile north of Adairsville, Cass county, Georgia. 

In November, 1854, his father and family moved to 
Winston county, Miss. In February, 1856, Mr, Dorrill was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Moore. In December, 1858, the 
Mar's Hill church, three miles west of Plattsburg, Winston 
county liberated him to preach. During the six years follow- 
ing his conversion he struggled hard against the conviction to 
preach, and saw many hours of trouble, for he felt, ''woe is 
me if I preach not the gospel," and it was like a fire in his 
bones. But he yielded, and, as he says, "began in a stam- 
mering way to try; but I felt so unworthy and so little, and, 
when I made an effort, felt that the cause of Christ was dis- 
graced. Often did I think that if the Lord would forgive me 
for reproaching the cause I would quit. I tried to 'Jonah' 
out of the work, but God would not let me. Those lashings 
of conscience I could not endure." 

The war came on and Mr. Dorrill enlisted in the 
Confederate service and remained in the army until the close 
of the war. From the field of strife he returned in May, 1865, 
with an injured constitution and a broken fortune. His effects 
were all gone, but he had a loving wife and three little 
children to care for. After his return home the church at 
Mar's Hill called for his ordination to the full work of the min- 
istry. Accordingly on December 3, 1865, the church met, 
with Revs. John B, Poteet, pastor of Mount Carmel church; 
and Wm. M. Burke, pastor of Liberty church, as a presby- 
tery, who after a satisfactory examination proceeded to 
solemnly ordain him to the full work of the ministry. 

The same year, 1865, he moved to Leake couuty, where 
he has resided ever since. His address now (1894) is Palona. 
On August 15, 1866, after a long illness, his wife died, leav- 
ing four children. In May, 1867, he was married the second 
time, Mrs. Jane Yates, nee Jane Roberts, becoming his wife. 
With her he lived happily for about twelve years, when she 
too joined the "silent majority," falling asleep in Jesus, Jan- 
uary 3, 1880. During the same year he was the third time 
married, Miss Mary L. Turner becoming his wife. His field 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



203 



of labor has been principally in Leake county, though he has 
preached some in Winston, Neshoba, Attala and Madison 
counties. Except the first three or four years of his minis- 
terial life he has sustained pastoral relations to four churches 
each year. He says: "Having no literary attainments, being 
a poor man, and having suffered many afflictions in my fam- 
ily, my labors have been confined to a small circle, but I feel 
that the Lord has blessed me for Christ's sake." 




Elisha Douglass. John 

Douglass, father of Elisha 
Douglass was a Carolinian 
by birth. He lived suc- 
cessively in North and South 
Carolina, Georgia, Tennes- 
see and Mississippi. With 
a colony of Georgians he 
settled on Fair river, nine 
miles west of the present 
Monticello, in Lawrence 
j^. county, while Mississippi 
was a territory, and was 
truly a pioneer in the wil- 
derness. 

Elisha Douglass was born 
June 9, 1814. He was a 
delicate child. When seven 
ELISHA DOUGLASS. or eight years of age he was 

sent to school, but frail health caused him to progress slowly. 
Owing to sparse population there was a school only once in 
four or five years. When fourteen years of age he attended 
a six months school, learned to read and write and began the 
study of arithmetic. Again at the age of nineteen he at- 
tended a three months term of school which closed his school 
opportunities. But having acquired a taste for reading he 
desired an education more than gold. His health failed; he 
became a dyspeptic; this paralyzed his hopes of study. He 



204 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

was also much hindered in this respect by the lack of proper 
books. His father had suffered in the ravages of the Revolu- 
tionary War, was uneducated, and withal books were scarce 
and costly. Young Douglass, however, procured some school 
books, but not half he needed. His present library he sup- 
poses to be worth one hundred and fifty dollars. In Septem- 
ber, 1837, his health being somewhat improved, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Navy Davis, daughter of Zaborn Davis, of Co- 
piah county. His health again failed and for many years he 
struggled with disease and poverty. 

In 1841 he was baptized into the fellowship of the New 
Providence church, Marion county, in his twenty-eighth year. 
Soon he was elected to the clerkship of the church. Finding 
the records badly kept and almost illegible, he T requested the 
church to procure a new book into which he transcribed the 
records and continued as clerk until the close of 1857. In 
1852 the church licensed him to preach. He at once began 
in public exercises, as he says, "with as much timidity as any 
poor soul ever felt." He often felt that he would "prefer 
being in the midst of some dense forest than before a congre- 
gation." In 1853 the church, unexpectedly to him, called 
him to ordination. He objected, but the church insisted and 
asked him if he was willing to depend on the judgment of the 
church. He agreed to submit, but felt that it was premature; 
and after his ordination felt that much would be expected of 
him, and further felt that if he ever had preached he never 
could do so again. It was long before he was relieved from 
these embarassing feelings. 

Soon after his ordination he was called to the pastorate 
of Little Bahala church. He felt insufficient for so important 
a work and began his term of service "with fasting and 
prayer." The church was in disorder and confusion and was 
about to disband, but was restrained by a pious old sister, 
called "Aunt Katie," who was faithful. She said, "This is 
the first and only church to which I ever belonged, and the 
only one to which 1 will ever belong. If the rest of you all 
leave I will still continue here." He gives this as a case of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 205 

the importance of faithfulness. The other members said, 
"Well, Aunt Katie, we will not leave you." They all agreed 
to call Mr. Douglass to their pastorate. He says, "As none 
of them had ever heard me try to preach, I told them I would 
meet with them from time to time until the church could de- 
cide whether they were satisfied with my services." Their 
troubles were all settled and he continued in their pastoral 
service for five years. The Lord sent his Spirit in their 
midst and they began to revive and their number increased 
during this time from seventeen to seventy. Many times 
"Aunt Katie" shouted for joy at these ingatherings of the 
church. "Truly," says this veteran, now almost eighty 
years of age, "has the Lord brought light out of darkness and 
strength out of weakness, as Bro. J. E. Thigpen, their present 
pastor, will testify." 

In January, 1858, he moved from Copiah to Lawrence 
county, locating in the territory of Pearl River Association; 
and was the same year called to the pastorate of Shiloh 
church. He continued in this pastorate about sixteen years. 
During the war there arose some dissatisfaction and Mr. 
Douglass withdrew from Shiloh and united with Friendship, a 
new church, near the mouth of Fair river. Rev, Norvell 
Robertson, their pastor, resigned and Mr. Douglass was in- 
vited to their pastorate. Here he was pastor about one year 
when the church, being weak, dissolved, all taking letters, 
Mr. Douglass returned to Shiloh and was again their pastor 
for a long term of years. 

After the war closed he was called to the care of other 
churches, but never having kept a diary he is unable to give 
exact dates. He was pastor of Galilee church, Strong River 
Association, one year; and of Bethel church, Pearl River As- 
sociation, one year. In 1871 and 1872 the towns on the rail- 
road were being built up, and churches were pushing on at 
Beauregard, Wesson, Brookhaven, and Bogue Chitto. Four 
large associations cornered near these places, viz.: Missis- 
sippi and Union on the west, and Pearl River and Strong 
River on the east. They were giving no attention to the 



206 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

struggling condition of these new churches. While drinking 
shops were kept in these towns and there was drinking, 
gambling and other wickedness, and while these associations 
generally held their meetings remote from these places and 
gave little attention to the struggling churches at them, 
Mr, Douglass decided that a new association was needed having 
its central point on the railroad in the vicinity of the towns 
above mentioned. He discussed the matter before Shiloh 
church of which he was pastor, and, after some deliberation, 
a resolution was passed inviting other churches to meet in 
convention and consider the propriety of organizing such an 
association. A convention was called in 1871; strong opposi- 
tion to the project was encountered, but after a rather stormy 
discussion a majority decided to meet with Shiloh church, 
October 19, 1872. At that time Fair River Association was 
organized. The Association appointed a missionary to work 
in her bounds, and within one year two or three new churches 
were organized. After this time lit- served as pastor of 
Pleasant Hill church, Simpson county, for three years; 
Crooked Creek church for three years; Mount Pisgah (now 
Oak Grove) two years; Rehoboth one year; Fair River four 
years; and Union church two years; besides preaching at differ- 
ent places at school houses. 

He began at this time, as all must, to grow old and feeble, 
and it was God's pleasure to raise up young ministers to 
preach his gospel. Many of these had an opportunity of at- 
tending college, and as he and other old laborers grew feeble, 
the Lord brought forward this new relief of young and vigor- 
ous preachers to build up his cause and secure the salvation 
of precious souls. He says: 'I now stand superannuated, in 
my eightieth year. I sometimes fill the appointments of 
brethren. Such are my happiest hours. But, though 1 am 
failing in strength of body and mind, the God of heaven will 
take care of his cause and kingdom and the souls for whom 
Christ died. May the Spirit of Elijah's God rest upon the 
young and rising ministry is my earnest and humble prayer, 
for Christ's sake." 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



207 



David H. Dobbs. The following brief notice of this good 
man, in our History of the Louisville Association, in 1 883, is 
almost all that can be obtained of this excellent man: 
"David H. Dobbs, son of Silas Dobbs, was long connected 
with the work of this body. He is a man of ability, thor- 
oughly educated, and, though not impassioned in delivery, is 
a good reasoner. His sermons, as also those of W. H. Head, 
have been requested for publication. Often he has filled the 
offices of moderator and clerk of this body, and always filled 
either with dignity and ability. He now lives and labors in 
Louisiana." 

Since the above was published Mr. Dobbs removed 
to Texas where he lived a few years ago. Whether he still lives 
is unknown to the author. It should be added that he was 
ordained by Mount Pisgah church, Choctaw county, Miss., 
the presbytery being composed of Revs. Silas Dobbs, his 
father, and Joseph Robinson. He has had charge of the First 
Baptist church, Newport, Ky., and nine churches in Missis- 
sippi, prior to his work in Louisana and Texas. 

E. P. Douglass, son of 

Rev. Elisha and Mrs. 
Navy Douglass, is a na- 
tive Mississippian. He 
was born in Copiah coun- 
county, November 12, 
1838, and is now (1894) 
fifty- five years of age. 
He received such educa- 
tional advantages as the 
■■ neighborhood schools 
could afford. He went 
through all the books 
then used in the country 
E. P. DOUGLASS. schools — English Gram- 

mar, Geography, History, Arithmetic, Algebra, Natural 
Philosophy, Geometry and a partial course in Latin 




208 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

When he was about eighteen years of age his father 
became actively engaged in the ministry. Being the 
oldest boy, he was placed in charge of the farm, which was 
the chief source of living for the family. In this position he 
remained until twenty-one years of age. He then spent six 
months in school reviewing his former studies and taking a 
few additional, such as Book-keeping, Logic, Chemistry and 
Physiology. Two years were then spent in teaching and 
reading medicine, 1859 and i860. In 1861 the Civil War 
commenced. He enlisted and went with his regiment, the 
Twelfth Mississippi, to Virginia, and took part in nearly every 
engagement in which the regiment participated. He was 
wounded several times during the war. At the battle of Fort 
Greeg, just a few day£ before the surrender of Lee's army, 
he received a wound that came near proving fatal. 

The war over, he came home and engaged in teaching. 
ji December 1866 he married Miss Elizabeth Davis, who has 
been to him a true wife and faithful companion, an efficient 
help-meet, in all his work. He then settled the home, at 
which he now lives and moved his church membership from 
the Fair River church, into whose fellowship he was baptized 
in i860, to Mount Zion church. This church, in 1872, licensed 
him to preach, and in 1873 ne was employed by the Fair 
River Association as its missionary. During this year the 
church had him ordained. The next year, 1874, he com- 
menced preaching to churches. His work at first was with 
old broken down churches, or new ones just struggling into 
existence. This necessarily made the work hard on him. 
The amounts received from the churches, ranged from ten to 
thirty-five dollars, and in two instances he preached a whole 
year and did not receive a cent of compensation from the 
churches. His work was emphatically a missionary work. 
He was the missionary; his wife was the efficient secretary of 
the board which employed and sustained him. A few mis- 
sionary hens, a few faithful cows, the farm and the school- 
room, were the scources to which they appealed for con- 
tributions to carry on the work. These responded right 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 20Cj 

nobly and the work went on. There was strong opposition 
to missions, education and pastoral support; and the blighting 
curse of intemperance hung like a dark pall over many of the 
churches. To correct these evils required a great deal of 
labor and patience, and in some instances sharp and bitter 
contests were necessary. On one occasion thirty-nine old 
whisky soaks, members of a church to which he preached, 
signed and presented to him a thing, which they called a peti- 
tion, asking him to resign. He did not resign. But they— 
that is he and the other members of the church — helped some 
of them to resign, and that settled the matter. But these 
difficulties have, in a great measure, been removed, and these 
churches to which he has preached, at times under very 
gloomy circumstances, have, some of them, become strong 
churches. Others while not yet strong are growing in piety 
and efficiency, and will in time develop into strong active 
bodies. Thirteen of the sixteen churches for which he has 
preached are within the territory of the Fair River Associa- 
tion. Comparatively few changes have taken place in his work. 
He is still in the same field where he commenced twenty 
years ago. He was clerk of the Fair River Association eight 
years and was for ten years its moderator. His brethren 
have honored him more, he says, than he has deserved; and 
the Lord has given to his work a measure of success that is 
truly gratifying to his heart. He says he wishes that he 
could have done more and better work than he has. 

He has enjoyed an excellent degree of health all through 
life. He has been blessed with a strong, healthy body and a 
vigorous mind. But these have been too heavily taxed. His 
physical powers are giving away, he fears, and while the 
mind is still active, there is at times a feeling of mental slug- 
gishness, which gives warning that the mind as well as the 
body needs rest. His wife and he feel that they are settled 
for life. He has no desire now to change his location. Here 
they first located, here they have lived and labored, "here," 
he says, "we will die and be buried. We have a pleasant 
home and tolerably pleasant surroundings. Six children have 



210 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

been born unto us. Two have preceeded us to the better 
land. Four are yet living, three sons and one daughter. 
The eldest, a son, is married." 

J. J. Du Bois, the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Rutherford county, Term., January 18, 1817. His parents, 

being Methodists, had him sprinkled in his infancy, and raised 
him up in that faith. In boyhood he moved with his parents 
to Alabama, and from there to Drew county, Ark., in the 
year 1858. In i860 he moved to De Soto county, Miss., and 
settled near the village of Olive Branch where he lived until 
death called him home, April 20, 1879. 

In 1837, at the age of twenty, he married Miss Lucinda 
Bruton, a pious Christian woman, with whom- he lived hap- 
pily until her death in 1873. In 1837, soon after his mar- 
riage, he professed faith in Christ and united himself with the 
Methodists, and in 1848 he began to preach in connection 
with that organization. But when called on to "baptize" a 
baby, being doubtful as to the Scriptural authority for the 
same, he made a thorough examination into the Scriptures 
with regard to the ordinances and church polity. As a result 
of this investigation, in 1852, he united himself with a Bap- 
tist church and was baptized by Rev. William R. Alexander. 
He labored faithfully in the ministry until almost the day of 
his death; often laboring hard on the farm or in the shop five 
days in the week, and riding twenty to twenty-five miles 
and preaching Saturday and Sunday. 

In Arkansas where he preached eight years, he was a 
pioneer as a Baptist preacher. There he accomplished great 
good in the hands of God in establishing and building up 
churches in Southern Arkansas, baptizing hundreds. He be- 
gan his labors in the Coldwater Association early in 1867 and 
for ten years or more did faithful service. His favorite fields 
seemed to be destitute places, preaching the gospel to the 
poor, building up the waste places and strengthening weak 
churches; therefore a great deal of his time was spent in the 
employment of the Mission Board. His education and facil- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 211 

ities for study being quite limited, he studied little else than 
the Scriptures. On this account he was termed the preacher 
of "one Book." Of that Book, however, he was complete 
master, so far as regards its practical and doctrinal teachings. 
He raised seven children, all of whom he baptized himself, 
except two who were baptized by his pastor. He was a very 
systematic man in all the relations of life. After a hard 
struggle with poverty in his earlier days he found ease and 
comfort in his old age. 

He has a son, Rev. H. A. Du Bois, living at Byhalia, 
Miss., who for a number of years has been an active Chris- 
tain worker. Within the last two years he was ordained to 
the full work of the ministry by request of his church, and 
has since been doing efficient work as a preacher, within the 
territory of the Coldwater Association. 

R. Drummond, the subject of this sketch, was born near 
Westville, Simpson county, Miss., October 20, 1847. He has 
never moved from the place where he was born. He made a 
profession of religion, and joined Strong River church, Simp- 
son county, in i860, and was baptized by Rev. M. T. Conn. 
He is not an educated man; he says his education is very 
limited. He married Miss Matilda Beasley in 1867. She died 
in 1880, and was the mother of seven children, three of whom 
had preceded her to the grave and another followed a few 
days after. 

He was licensed to preach by Stonewall church, Simp- 
son county, in 1880, a few days before the death of his wife. 
He was married to Miss Amanda Walker in 1881. She is the 
mother of four children and three of them are dead. He was 
ordained by the Stonewall church in 1882, Revs. I. H. And- 
ing, J. P. Hemby and A. Taylor being the ordaining presby- 
tery. He preached his first sermon as pastor at White Sand 
church, Lawrence county, Miss., February, 1882, and he is 
still pastor of that church and has been ever since, except one 
year. His work has been principally with the churches 
near where he lives. His membership is now at Westville 



212 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

church. He has preached there nearly four years. The vis- 
ible results of his ministry, he says, have not been very 
great. He has never been anxious to baptize persons until 
they gave evidence of conversion. He refused to baptize one 
man last year (1893) whom one of his churches had received 
in his absence. He considered the man living in an adulter- 
ous relation and he was unwilling to change his manner of 
life. In consequence of this case the church became divided 
and possibly have no pastor during the present year. There 
should be generally a toning up of religious sentiment on the 
marital relation, and the stand taken in this instance is a good 
way to lead people to think rightly about it. 




Eleazer C. Eager. 

As the life of this 
"man of God" and 
pioneer preacher 
touched, at so many 
points, the enterprises 
of Mississippi Bap- 
tists, and mingled 
with the ministerial 
lives of so many oth- 
er of the Lord's min- 
isters it is deemed 
proper to insert the 
following autobiogra- 
phy, though rather 
beyond the limits jus- 
tified in so compact a 
ELEAZER C. EAGER. work. The explana- 

tory letter which follows was written to Capt. John T. 
Buck, of Jackson, while he was engaged in gathering material 
for the History of Mississippi Baptists. It is so full of inter- 
est all the way through that it is presumed all Baptists in the 
State will be glad to see it in this more permanent form: 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 21 % 

Bro. BUCK: I send you an outline of myself and 
family. I find it difficult to condense, and do justice to my- 
self and the denomination. I could have easily expanded, 
such as it is. I leave it in your hands to publish or not as 
you deem proper. All of my children are native Mississippi- 
ans and I and my wife were as much identified with Missis- 
sippi as if we had been born here. All my ministerial life, 
except a few weeks in Memphis, Tenn., has been spent in 
Mississippi. I have canvassed the State, first and last, some fif- 
teen years-before the war, had visited nearly every association 
and church in the State, and had aided nearly every minister 
in the State in protracted meetings, and, so far as I ever 
knew, was everywhere favorably received, and requested to 
return as often as I could. But my days of labor are over. 
I now rest and am waiting the summons to "Come up 
higher." Yours Fraternally, E. C. EAGER. 

Clinton, Miss., Jan., 1882. 

Autobiography and Personal Recollections of 
REV. E. C. EAGER: I was born in Swanton, Vt., Jan. 15, 
1813. I was "born again" Jan. 25, 1831, and was baptized 
into the Baptist church in Swanton the second Sunday in 
June, 183 1. In the fall of the same year I removed to Pas- 
sumpsic, a little village in the eastern part of the State on Pas- 
sumpsic river, united by letter with the Passumpsic Baptist 
church, and soon after was licensed by that church, and com- 
menced immediately studying for the ministry under the 
tuition of its pastor, Rev. George B. Ide. 

I boarded in his family and continued under his tuition 
some two years. About that time he removed to Brandon, 
Vt., and became pastor of the Baptist church there. I ac- 
companied him. The Baptists of the State had but recently 
started a very flourishing male school there, so I entered this 
school and remained until the fall of 1835, at which time I 
entered the Junior class of the Collegiate Department of the 
school, now known as MADISON UNIVERSITY, Hamilton, N. Y. 
It then had between two and three hundred students, all pre- 
paring for the ministry, and some eight or ten professors. 



214 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

I graduated in the full collegiate and theological course in 
1841. Soon after I was ordained to the full work of the min- 
istry by the Passumpsic Baptist church and immediately after 
ordination was married to Miss Harriet B. Ide, first cousin to 
my old tutor, George B. Ide, D. D. Some two years before 
this she had graduated at the Female College in New Hamp- 
ton, N. H., a school as famous and as widely celebrated at 
that time as the Judson, in Marion, Ala., was in the palmy 
days of Milo P. Jewett. She was a hard student, a thorough 
scholar, and possessed great aptness to teach. The year 
previous to her marriage she spent with her cousin in Phila- 
delphia, who was then pastor of the First Baptist church of 
that city. She was a great favorite of his, and he gave her 
up with great reluctance and never did forgive me for not 
settling in Philadelphia, as a good opening was then offered 
me as a mission pastor. 

For years before we were married we had expected to 
become foreign missionaries to be located probably among the 
Karens. Several males and females were expecting to go out 
at the same time. But the Board of Foreign Missions, finding 
itself some eighty thousand dollars in debt, had passed a 
resolution that it would send out no more missionaries till that 
debt was paid. 

This was a great damper to me, and as we would prob- 
ably have to wait some two or more years, I resolved to turn 
my attention to Domestic Missions. Then the Baptists of the 
United States were one in mission work. There was but one 
Board of Foreign Missions and one of Domestic Missions. So 
I applied in person to the Board of Domestic Missions for a 
field of mission labor, and they at once advised me to go 
South and select for myself. 

I accepted this advice. In February, 1842. I landed in 
Memphis, Tenn., and put up at the McMarkin House. There 
I found President Fransworth and his accomplished wife, the 
sister of Prof. Ripley, of Newton Theological Seminary, who 
was traveling about and looking here and there, with the in- 
tention of establishing somewhere in the South a seminary 






MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 215 

similar to that of New Hampton, N. H., with which he had 
been connected as professor. He soon left Memphis as not 
the place he was looking for. The population of Memphis 
was then estimated at only 800, with one hotel, one drug 
store, several small dry goods and grocery stores, one small 
brick meeting house occupied by the Presbyterians, some few 
Methodists but no meeting house, according to my recollec- 
tion, and not a citizen in town who was known as a Baptist. 
President Fransworth spoke very discouragingly and 
advised me not to think of settling in such a place. But I 
determined not to leave without a trial. So I began with the 
determination to canvass the whole place thoroughly. In one 
of the first houses 1 entered I found a shoemaker, to whom I 
introduced myself as a Missionary Baptist minister, saying 
that I had come to Memphis to see if I could find any of the 
lost sheep of the house of Israel. While I was talking he 
threw down his tools, laid aside his work, and, rising to his 
feet, reached forth his hand and, grasping mine, exclaimed: 
"Thank the Lord! I do believe that the Lord has answered 
my prayers." He then took his seat and went on to say that 
he was a Baptist, a Missionary Baptist, that he had been in 
Memphis so many years, that he had never seen or heard a 
Baptist preacher since he first came, that he had often and 
earnestly prayed that he and his family might yet live to sit 
under the preaching of the gospel by a Baptist minister, and, 
"Now," said he, "1 am at your service. If you wish, I am 
ready and willing to drop all and go with you." 1 told him 
that as I was an entire stranger he could be of great service 
to me and I should be very thankful for his company. In a 
short time we started out together and he continued with me 
till we had visited every white family in Memphis. At the 
close of this visitation we had found and recorded the names 
and dwelling places of forty-three persons who claimed to be 
Baptists and who had or soon could get letters. We then ap- 
pointed a meeting to be held in the upper story of a small 
building, called the Court House. All or nearly all, with 
more or less of their friends, were present. They all ex- 



2l6 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

pressed a desire to be constituted into a church and agreed to 
do so as soon as we could obtain a house in which to worship. 
After much consultation we concluded that the best plan was 
to start a subscription to build, payable when seven thousand 
dollars should have been subscribed. 

This shoemaker was Bro. T. B. Altom, who afterwards 
removed to Grenada, Miss., was there licensed and ordained, 
and preached for years in Mississippi, most as a missionary in 
the prairie country of Northeast Mississippi, and was greatly 
beloved by everybody. He was a good man and full of 
the Holy Ghost. He has gone to his rest and his works fol- 
low him. (See brief sketch of him in this volume.) After 
this mass meeting I took the subscription paper and started 
out alone. The first subscriber put down five hundred dol- 
lars and promised to give the lot on which to build in a few 
weeks. I had obtained nearly the seven thousand dollars 
when, to my great surprise and mortification, he backed down 
and refused to have his name any longer on the paper. This 
disheartened me and 1 began to think that the Lord did not 
design that I should settle in Memphis. 

About this time Rev. James G. Hall came to Memphis on 
a visit to two sisters. He heard of me and came to see me. 
We had a long and pleasant interview. I told him all my 
prievious history and how I happened to come South instead 
of going to Burmah. He said he had for years corresponded 
with the Board of Domestic Missions to send educated minis- 
ters South, especially to Mississippi, and he had no doubt but 
they had directed my attention South greatly through the 
influence of that correspondence, and, on that account, he had 
some claim on me. He advised me at once to give up Memphis 
and go with him to Mississippi, that he could probably locate 
me at once at Grenada, and said that the country for fifty 
miles around was almost destitute of preachers and that I 
would find an ample field for all my powers. 

After much prayer and consultation with my wife, 1 con- 
cluded to accept of his advice. He had come there on horse- 
back, and started immediately back, and shortly after my 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 217 

wife and I were in the stage on our way to his house, one of 
the stage-stands seven miles north of Grenada. Only some 
ten or twelve years before the Indians were in possession of 
this whole country, that is, of all the middle and northern 
part of Mississippi. It was all new and wild. The roads 
were horrible, almost impassable. The people looked wild 
and strange at every stand, or wheresoever the stage stopped. 
Multitudes of half-intoxicated men and boys would come up 
to and around the stage, peep in through the door and then 
with horrible oaths comment on the passengers. Before we 
reached the end of our journey we were wonderfully im- 
pressed that we were in a missionary field where laborers 
were greatly needed. 

In due time the stage halted at the Hall stand. Bro. Hall 
had reached home before us. He hastened out, opened the 
stage door and gave us a hearty welcome. He led the way 
and soon gave us an introduction to his wife and family. We 
soon found her to be an accomplished lady and one of the best 
cooks and housekeepers that we ever met with in any coun- 
try; and the longer we stayed the more pleased we became 
with him and her and all the family. Bro. Hall was prob- 
ably the best educated Baptist minister at that time in the 
State, but as he was a planter he preferred country churches 
to those in town, and generally preached to one or more of 
these churches every Sabbath. But he was anxious that I 
should go and try to get a start in Grenada. So, after resting 
several days, we both mounted horses and rode into Grenada. 
Through his influence the few scattered brethren were col- 
lected and in my absence held a long consultation with Bro. 
Hall, at the conclusion of which they reported that the best 
they thought they could do was to give me three hundred 
dollars for two Sabbaths per month and that we board our- 
selves, and that as a special favor Or. and Bro. Edmunds 
would furnish us a room and board us for twenty-five dollars 
per month; also that my wife, if she wanted, could get the 
use of the Academy building free and that she could get as 
many pupils as she wanted and have all that she could make. 



2l8 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

There had once been a large and flourishing church 
there, and they started to build a large house, but just as 
they had completed the walls and covered the house the 
banks failed and a general crash went over the whole country, 
and all public enterprises stepped. This shell of a large brick 
house was still left, with no doors, windows, seats or pulpit, 
and for years it had been occupied by only beasts and birds. 
Here I began to think that probably I had done wrong in 
refusing a mission church in Philadelphia with a salary of 
fourteen hundred dollars, another in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a 
salary of one thousand dollars, and numbers of openings in 
Kentucky and the West, which old Bro. Buck and Rev. John 
L. Waller, urged me to accept, and go no farther south; all of 
which I had declined through the influence of the idea of get- 
ting into a missson field in the South. And now that I was 
fairly in the South the best offer that I could get was the 
board of self and wife, and a wild country where I could 
preach as much as I pleased for nothing. 

About this time my wife and I began to feel a little home- 
sick. But after the brethren had obtained a full school for 
my wife, should she become willing to teach, we mutually 
agreed to try it for one year. So she entered the school 
room and I my study and we both went to work as best we 
were able. At the close of the year I had paid for our board 
and she had cleared six hundred dollars, but in settling up 
accounts, we found our store bills over one hundred and fifty 
dollars, some one hundred dollars more than we had expected. 
We then mutually agreed that from that day onward we 
would pay as we went — that we would "owe no man any- 
thing." That resolution was the best we ever made respect- 
ing dollars and cents. Through life it saved us from much 
care and anxiety, and myself as a minister from reproach. 

During the two years I remained in Grenada I preached 
and held protracted meetings in all or nearly all the county 
seats within fifty miles of Grenada. I assisted Bro. Hall and 
Bro. Minter in protracted meetings in all their churches and 
with them attended protracted meetings in very many places 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 219 

and neighborhoods where there had never been a religious 
meeting before, and where we often had young people who 
had never heard a sermon before. As there were very few, 
even log meeting-houses in the country, we adopted the plan 
of holding Baptist ' 'camp-meetings," where we usually had 
from six hundred to one thousand through the week and from 
twelve to fifteen hundred on Sunday. These meetings would 
usually continue through three Sabbaths and were attended 
with most remarkable manifestations of Divine presence and 
power. Often the whole congregation, day after day, would 
kneel down for prayer. At the Red Gap camp-meeting sev- 
eral hundred people professed religion and I saw Bro. Minter 
baptize at one time, without coming out of the water, eighty- 
five converts. And similar scenes were witnessed in nearly 
all our meetings during the two years I was there. Eternity 
alone will reveal how many hundreds heard the joyful sound 
and truly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

In moving into the country the people had often to swim 
creeks, and hence they lost nearly all their books, Bibles and 
Testament. Hence but few famlies back in the country had 
a Bible or a Testament. This need was afterwards supplied 
by a Bible Society formed in Grenada. Never before nor 
since have I found any people so fully ripe for the harvest as 
were these country people. 

We will now return to Grenada. Here was my first 
pastorship. Soon after I accepted, the few good and noble 
brethren that were there seemed aroused, and, being men of 
business, they went to work in good earnest. Very soon the 
doors, windows, seats and pulpit, were up and in, and ready 
for an audience. The congregations soon became large and 
respectable, William Duncan, then a merchant in the place, 
and who had been for years a professional teacher of sacred 
music, was our chorister, aided by a number of good male and 
female voices, and we had the best singing in town. 

Early in the fall we commenced a protracted meeting 
aided by Revs. Minter and Hall, but the preaching by my 
request was done almost exclusively by Revs. Wm. Holcomb 



220 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERb. 

and Wm. Bailiss, whom I had aided in protracted meetings in 
the upper part of the State. Our house, though large, be- 
came too small for the people. Gen. Waull, now of Texas, 
was the first to profess religion, and the first convert that I 
ever baptized. Babb, Esq., who had once fought a duel 
with Gen. Waull, soon followed, and afterwards became a 
distinguished Methodist preacher in Tennessee. The meet- 
ing continued over two Sabbaths, at the close of which over 
forty had been baptized and several had been added by 
letter. 

For one-half of my time the second year the church gave 
me six hundred dollars and my wife gave up the school. The 
church continued to prosper, numbers were added by baptism 
and by letter and that year we organized -a Bible Society, 
auxiliary to the American and Foreign Bible Society, and 
established a book store for the circulation of Bibles, Testa- 
ments and good books. Through this means a great portion 
of the country in every direction was well supplied. 

This year the Baptist State Convention met at Middle- 
ton. I was present as a delegate from the Grenada church. 
There I met, for the first time for several years, my old 
school mate, Rev. W. H. Anderson, pastor of the church at 
Natchez; also two of my former class mates, teachers in the 
Judson Institute, namely, Cross and Foster, both of whom 
soon returned North. Cross went as missionary to Burmah, 
and Foster settled in some church North. 

During this Convention there was much discussion about 
what disposition to make of the Judson Institute; but it was 
finally turned over into the hands of a Bro. Bailey, for- 
mer pastor of the Columbus Baptist church, and Bro. John. 
Armstrong, then pastor of the church in Columbus, preached, 
as he said, the funeral sermon cf the Judson Institute. He 
briefly gave its history, its age and work, its decline, sick- 
ness and death. He then made one of the most impressive 
appeals to the Baptists of the State in behalf of education and 
a Baptist College in the State that I ever heard from anybody, 
and I resolved then that, from that day onward, I would 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 221 

favor to the utmost of my ability any and every move in that 
direction. 

The third year the Grenada church called me for all my 
time on a salary of one thousand dollars. I had long looked 
upon the country as by far the most important part of my 
field. I had preached to them two years and had influenced 
Rev. H. B. Hayward, an old school mate, to come and settle 
in our midst, and a few others had also come in. Yet, I felt 
that I could not that soon turn my back upon a country so 
destitute and so ripe for the harvest as it then was. 1 had no 
pecuniary inducement to remain. I had now spent the best 
part of two years in preaching to them, and all that I had yet 
received was the free use of a horse, saddle and bridle from 
old 3ro. Minter. When Bro. Hall and I introduced Bro. Hay- 
ward to the Preston church as pastor, in the place of Bro. 
Hall, he, Bro. Hall, addressed them on the subject of minis- 
terial support and, said he, "Bro. Hayward cannot do as I 
have done. I have supported myself and family by farming. 
I have preached many years all through this country and I 
have been pastor of this church now nine years, and from all 
the churches combined, I have not received money enough to 
have kept my horse shod. I don't mention this," he contin- 
ued, "by way of reproach. The reproach, if any, falls prob- 
ably more heavily upon me than upon them. I have long 
known that they were well able to pay their preacher, and 
many I believe would, had they been taught the Scriptures 
upon the subject. But, in common with perhaps all our min- 
isters in this new country, I have never yet preached on that 
subject. Hence the churches all over the country have done 
nothing. But," said he, "the time has come when the 
churches must change on that subject. Men are coming into 
our country who are poor and who wish to give their time 
wholly to the ministry, and this they cannot do without food 
and raiment and life's necessaries." 

I had a great desire to preach to the country churches, 
at least one year more, that 1 might instruct them especially 
upon this subject. 1 so expressed myself to the Grenada 



222 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

church; still she would not yield. She would have all or 
none. So I resigned. 

Shortly after, I received a call from the church in Col- 
umbus, and another from the Fellowship church, in Jefferson 
county. I decided in favor of the latter, and entered upon 
my work as pastor of that church in May, 1844. This church 
is located equally distant from Port Gibson, Rodney and Fay- 
ette. Its membership was small, but its congregations were 
large, intelligent and many of them very wealthy. The 
members were scattered from Port Gibson to four miles below 
Rodney and from Oakland College to Fayette. Our usual 
congregations were large and regular, and on special occasions 
only a small portion of the people could get into the house. 
In the fall we had a very interesting protracted 1 meeting. A 
Bro. Parr, my successor in Grenada, did most of the preach- 
ing. And this revival continued, gradually spreading, for 
more than two years. 

At the close of the second year I had baptized one 
hundred and thirty whites and an unknown number of blacks. 
I was engaged by the church to preach to the whites in the 
morning of each Sabbath and to the colored people in the 
afternoon. In the third year the Bethlehem Baptist church, 
in Franklin county, petitioned the Fellowship church for my 
services one Sabbath per month, which was granted. And I 
served them two years. Over forty were added to the church 
by baptism the first year and quite a number the second year, 
besides many who joined by letter. 

While engaged in preaching to this church, for the first 
time in my life I was interrupted by a rush of blood into my 
mouth, on account of which I had to stop preaching altogether. 
After recovering from my excitement and resting my body as 
well as my mind I found that I had literally worn down by 
long continued labors by night and day, for months together. 
I had prostrated my whole system, body and mind. Hence I 
was compelled to rest. With wife and one child I went and 
spent several weeks on the Bay; but returned and renewed 
my labors in the fall. But 1 never could endure as much 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 223 

hardship and exposure afterwards. I had often spoken, 
especially in Baptist camp-meetings, two and three times a 
day in open air for ten and fifteen days at a time, without 
ever getting hoarse, but never could thus do afterwards. 
Since that attack I have always been more or less inclined to 
hoarseness. I add this as a warning to young ministers not 
to over-exert themselves in times of excitement or revivals. 
Moderation is the safer and more useful plan. 

While pastor of the Fellowship church we were invited 
by a Bro. Austin, who said he had recently joined the Bap- 
tists in Hinds county, an' 1 had become very much interested 
in their having a college, and he thought that he had started 
on a plan that would prove successful; namely, to get up a 
company of stockholders who should purchase the property 
known as Mississippi Springs, and convert it into a Baptist 
college for the State. He would himself take so many shares 
of five hnndred dollars each, and he wanted only so many 
more to complete the amount required, when he would call a 
meeting of the stockholders of the Springs, purchase the prop- 
erty, and then hold themselves ready to turn it over to the 
denomination through the State Convention on certain condi- 
tions. We were well pleased with the idea, and several of our 
brethren became stockholders. In due time they were called 
together at the Springs. The property was purchased and 
Bro. Austin was put in possession of the buildings and prop- 
erty for safe keeping till we could present it to the Conven- 
tion. 

But Austin soon converted it into a dancing hall and place 
of public amusements. The stockholders thought this a bad 
introduction for a Baptist college. They called another meet- 
ing, intending to dispossess Austin of the property, but he 
was by far the largest stockholder and refused to leave. He 
finally proposed to get others in the place of all the Baptist 
stockholders and thereby release them. They readily ac- 
cepted and retired. 

As it was too late in the week to reach Fellowship 
church so as to be there in season on the Sabbath, William 



224 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Coleman, James Snodgrass and I concluded that we would 
come and spend the Sabbath at Clinton. Here we found two 
Baptist families, namely, Dr. Stokes and Nathan White. We 
passed two nights with the doctor and one with Bro. White. 
We rehearsed to them our fond hopes and sad disappointment. 
While with Dr. Stokes he suggested to me the idea that pos- 
sibly, on certain conditions, the Mississippi College might be 
donated to the Baptists of the State, saying that he was one 
of the members of the Board and knew that they were very 
tired of it, that it had virtually failed in the hands of the New 
School Presbyterians that the people generally were discour- 
aged and would gladly see it in the hands of any body of men 
who would take hold of it and make it what it ought to be — a 
college. 

Before we parted he said he would do all he could in 
favor of such a move and would keep me posted in regard to 
it. He did so, and this, so far as I know, was the first move 
of the donation of the College to the Baptist State Conven- 
tion. 

In the fall of 1849 1 resigned the pastorship of Fellow- 
ship church and in the spring of 1850 moved my family to 
Warren county, and took charge of the Antioch and Mount 
Alban churches. These were good flourishing churches at 
that time. The congregations were large and respectable. 
The Antioch church had two of the best deacons 1 ever knew, 
namely, David Sexton and Levi Stephens. Numbers were 
added the first year by baptism and some by letter, and I 
preached and held protracted meetings often in different parts 
of the country. 

But about the close of the second year my voice gave 
way and I had to cease speaking in public altogether. I re- 
signed, and Rev. Mr. Thomas became my successor. The 
doctors said that I must travel — as much as possible on horse- 
back. So I opened a correspondence with the corresponding 
secretary of the Southern Baptist Publication Society, located 
in Charleston, S. C, and secured an appointment to canvass 
the State of Mississippi on its behalf. And as the Baptists 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 225 

now had charge of Mississippi College 1 at once resolved to lo- 
cate my family there while traveling for the society, thinking 
that thereby I might possibly educate our children. 

Just before I left Warren county Dr. Newton challenged 
me to a public debate. I rose and remarked that Dr. Newton 
and all present knew well that I conld not speak in public at 
all, but, if he would allow me a substitute, I would accept the 
challenge. He agreed to do so, and this led to the debate in 
Jackson between John L. Waller and Dr. Newton, which 
resulted so triumphantly in favor of the Baptists and the 
cause of Revision. 

Traveling improved my health gradually and effectually. 
1 was more successful than I had anticipated. I collected in 
cash an average of twelve hundred dollars per month. The 
next year the trustees almost forced me to take charge of a 
Preparatory Department of Mississippi College at a sacrifice 
of more than five hundred dollars per year. I did so from a 
sense of duty, intending as soon as the year closed to return 
to my labors for the Publication Society, But in the fall the 
Board of Trustees and the Committee of the Baptist State 
Convention made choice of me as agent to raise an endow- 
ment for Mississippi College. I was taken altogether by sur- 
prise, and tried my best to keep out of it. But they would 
not give me up, at least, till 1 had made a trial. So with 
great fear and trembling I yielded and entered at once upon 
the work. Not a dollar was made payable till sixty thousand 
dollars were obtained, and they gave the agent three years 
in which to raise it. At the close of the first year I had in 
subscriptions over sixty thousand dollars. 

This placed the college on a firm basis and from that day 
to the beginning of the war it prospered as few colleges ever 
did in so short a time. At the breaking out of the war it had 
eight professors and two hundred and thirty pupils. At the 
meeting of the Central Baptist Association in Mount Alban, 
Warren county, I introduced the subject of a female school 
being established in Clinton under the auspices of the Baptist 
denomination, that families might be induced to come and 



226 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

settle there, as then and there they could educate both their 
sons and daughters at home. I suggested too that the Cen- 
tral Association alone should undertake this work and that 
they should call the school The Central Female Institute. 
The idea took favorably with all. Resolutions were offered 
and passed unanimously in favor of such a move, and a com- 
mittee was appointed to purchase property, elect teachers and 
start the school as soon as practicable. 

That committee offered me its principalship. I declined 
and suggested the name of William Duncan, knowing that he 
had long been engaged as a teacher of high schools. Indue 
time he was engaged and became first principal of the Central 
Female Institute, and Dr. Brumly became its steward. 1 
continued in the agency of the college till over ane hundred 
thousand dollars of endowment was obtained, and over twenty 
thousand for the chapel. 

I then resigned and accepted an agency for the Bible Re- 
vision Association, located in Louisville, Ky. I was engaged 
in this work when the war broke out and all communication 
between me and the Board was cut off, so suddenly that my 
entire salary for the previous year was left unpaid, and not a 
dollar of it has yet been paid This left me without means 
to get the necessaries of life for my family and compelled me 
to sell my house and one hundred acres of land near Clinton 
and to take pay in Confederate money. To this I added con- 
siderably more during the war, hoping that after the war 1 
would return, repurchase my property and complete the edu- 
cation of my children. 

1 had three sons in the war. My eldest, William Carey, 
died in Lee's army just before his surrender and now sleeps 
in a soldier's grave near Richmond, Va. The other two re- 
turned at the close, poor and disheartened. All of my money 
died on my hands. My three servants left and went where 
they pleased, and I was left with a wife and seven children — 
four sons and three daughters — without house or land, and not 
a dollar in current money. We were all much depressed for 
a while. We prayed and fasted and consulted together, till 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 227 

we mutually agreed to trust in the Lord and do whatever God 
in his providence seemed to indicate to us to do. 

In a few weeks I found myself located among my old 
friends as pastor of Fellowship church and my sons making 
cotton on the "Pette Gulf Hills" near Rodney, The church 
fed us and our little ones, and the boys were to have all they 
made to get an education. They were very successful, and 
soon began one after another to go to school. After remain- 
ing there some two years I returned to the agency of Missis- 
sippi College, and returned with my family to Clinton, when 
most of my children again entered the College and the Insti- 
tute. I continued in this agency until I was prostrated by an 
attack of the Louisiana swamp fever, from which I narrowly 
escaped death, and for more than one year was unable to en- 
gage in any business and was more than three years in fully 
recovering from it. In fact, since then, I have accomplished 
but very little. I canvassed Texas seven months in behalf 
of the Board of Domestic Missions, but with very little suc- 
cess. I became an agent for a society whose object was to 
build up a Female College in Summit, Miss., removed my 
family to Brookhaven, put my two daughters in Whitworth 
College, and worked seven months, when the Society wound 
up and left me and my family seven hundred dollars worse 
off than we were, and 1 became too poor to get away from 
Brookhaven. 

Some three years ago my son-in-law, living in Clinton, 
sickened and died. My wife, who had come to his aid, and 
that of the family, sickened, and in a few days was a corpse. 
His wife was left sick and destitute with four helpless children. 
Some two years ago, while attending a ministers' and dea- 
cons' meeting in Liberty, Miss., I was seriously injured by a 
fall and have been obliged to use one crutch and a cane ever 
since; and in January, 1881, I returned to Clinton to live, 
and, probably, to die with my children. 

My four sons are now educated and settled in professional 
life. Two are Baptist ministers — one now pastor of the St. 
Francis Street Baptist church, in Mobile, Ala.; another is a 



228 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

missionary in Rome, Italy; and one is a physician, now in the 
State Asylum, near Hopkinsville, Ky.; and the last and 
youngest is professor in Mississippi College. My two young- 
est children, daughters, graduated in the partial course in 
Whitworth College and after teaching awhile returned to 
Clinton and graduated in the full course of the Central 
Female Institute. All my children professed religion between 
the ages of ten and fourteen; all became members of the 
Baptist church; no charges have been alleged against any of 
them so far as I know; and all seem anxious to know what 
the Lord would have them to do. One is now a widow. 
Two sons and one daughter are married, and two sons and 
one daughter remain single. 

The prayer of myself and wife, from the very first, was, 
that all of our children might be truly converted in early life, 
and second, that in some way they might all be well educat- 
ed, and, lastly, that the Lord would then use and dispose of 
them just as he saw would be most for his declarative glory. 

We both lived to see our first petition granted, and the 
second nearly completed, and the last is doubtless being daily 
accomplished. My wife was a very devout Christian, a 
faithful wife, but excelled all women that I ever knew as a 
mother and I doubt not but that she is now reaping her re- 
ward as the "well done, good and faithful servant." Should 
the bereaved father and the sorrowing children all continue 
as faithful to the end, and act their part as well as she did 
hers I doubt not but we shall ultimately hear, as she did, the 
welcome "well done." So may it be — all safe in heaven. 

Mr. Eager still (November, 1894,) lives and resides with 
his son-in-law, Rev. 1. P. Trotter, the esteemed pastor of the 
church at Brownsville, Tenn., and is nearing the completion 
of his eighty-second year. 

George Boardman Eager, D. D., the second son of Rev. 
E. C. Eager, is now the pastor of the First Baptist church, 
Montgomery, Ala. He was born near Rodney, Miss., on the 
22d of February, 1847, did service as a soldier lad in the army 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



229 



of Northern Virginia the last year of the war. He was gradu- 
ated from Mississippi College in 1871 with the first honors 
of his class, and from the Southern Baptist Theological Semi- 
nary in the elective course in 1876. In the interregnums 
during his school years he served the churches at Lake 
Village, Ark., and Bastrop and Oak Ridge, La. Upon his 




GEORGE BOARDMAN EAGER, D. D. 
graduation he was called to Lexington, Va., where he did his 
first full pastoral work, serving the church in that famous old 
university town for three years, during which time he also 
took a post-graduate course at Washington and Lee Univer- 
sity. From Lexington he was called to the First Baptist 
church, at Knoxville, Tenn., entering upon his work there 



^30 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

with the New Year of 1879. On the 20th of the following 
February he was married, in Jackson, Miss., to Miss Annie 

E. Coorpender, the gifted daughter of the late Dr. Wm. 

F. Coorpender, the first honor graduate of the class 
of 1871 in the Central Female Institute, Clinton, Miss., and, 
.as the sequal has proved, a woman singularly fitted in head 
and heart to be the companion and helper of his ministerial 
life. In the Spring of 1880 he accepted an urgent call to the 
St. Francis Street Baptist church, of Mobile, Ala., one of the 
strongest old churches in the South. This inviting field, in 
the quaint old Gulf City, afforded him the amplest scope and 
inspiration for the exercise .of all his powers and for the 
achievement of the highest usefulness in the pulpit, in the 
pastorate and in the various public ministries which he was 
called to perform. The old church took on new life under his 
leadership and grew steadily in numbers, influence and 
beneficence during the whole seven years of his pastorate, 
and the relationship, so delightful to both parties, was only 
severed at last under the imperative demand that the pastor 
seek renewal of health in a change of climate. Accordingly 
in the spring of 1887 he accepted a less exacting work in The 
delightful Piedmont region of Virginia, at Danville, the beau- 
ful capital of the famous Bridget Belt country. In a two years 
residence there his health was fully restored, and he returned 
to Alabama to take charge of the Parker. Memorial church in 
Armiston, at that time, next to Birmingham, the largest and 
most prosperous of the magic cities of the Alabama iron re- 
gion. During his pastorate the noble new stone church, ded- 
icated in 1890 by Dr. Broaddus, and the handsome brick par- 
sonage with all modern conveniences, were built at a cost of 
seventy-five thousand dollars, chiefly the gift of Duncan 
Parker, Esq. The membership was increased three-fold and 
the church achieved, as was conceded by all, a primacy of in- 
fluence in that growing "city of churches." In 1890, when 
the increasing depression in the iron business and the general 
stringency of the times greatly reduced the population of 
"The Model City," and left nearly all its great industries 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 23 1 

prostrated, he accepted a call to his present important field in 
the capital city of Alabama. The old First church, of Mont- 
gomery, has numbered among its pastors such men as Basil 
Manly, Sr., I. T. Tichenor, J. B. Hawthorne, A. B. Woodfin, 
D. W. Gwinn, M. B. Wharton and Wm. Harris. Its location, 
as well as its large and representative membership, makes it 
one of the foremost churches of the South. Dr. Eager has 
been pastor of this church but two years, but in that time in- 
congruous elements have been harmonized, a vigorous "back- 
door revival" has taken place, and the multiform work of the 
church put upon a more efficient working basis. The church 
numbers nearly eight hundred, has the largest congregations 
and Sunday school in the city, and among its organizations, 
kept in vital and working relation to the church, are to be 
found "The Ladies' Aid and Missionary Society," "The Young 
Ladies' Mission Circle," "The Young People's Union," 
"Junior" and "Senior" branches, and the several "Ward 
Committees" appointed to look after all the interests of the 
work in their several districts. During part of the year Dr. 
Eager has in his congregation, Judge J. M. Haralson, one of 
the Alabama Supreme Court Justices, and President of the 
Southern Baptist Convention, and a large number of the 
members of the State Legislature, besides hundreds of 
transients who are called to the city by business, commercial 
or legal, or in the search for health or pleasure. His pulpit 
is, therefore, a center of wide and growing influence. Indeed, 
Dr. Eager's work since he came to Alabama has never been 
limited to his own pulpit or charge. He has been called to 
preach or lecture at nearly all the colleges and schools of the 
State; has been trustee of the Judson Institute, and President 
of the Orphanage Board and State Board of Missions, and has 
taken an active part in all the work of the denomination in 
the State. 

The degree of D. D. was first conferred upon him by the 
University of Tennessee, and afterward by Howard College, 
Alabama. 

Prof. Robert Frazer, President of the State Industrial 



232 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

College for girls, at Columbus, Miss., was intimately asso- 
ciated with Dr. Eager for several years, and was an officer of 
the Parker Memorial church while Dr. Eager was pastor. He 
writes of him: "Dr. Eager has been a diligent student, and 
is one of the most scholarly of the younger men in the Bap- 
tist denomination, South, while he ranks among its best 
preachers and pastors. In all his pastorates he has been pre- 
eminently successful, and has made each change against the 
earnest protest of his charge. His removal to Armiston was 
in the face of the strongest influence that Danville, the 
Roanoke Association and prominent Baptists in different 
parts of Virginia, could exert to keep him in a field where his 
ministry had achieved conspicuous success. The church in 
Armiston at that time numbered one hundred and seventy- 
five, and these were cumbered with the manifold difficulties 
that hinder efficiency in a membership newly brought together, 
heterogeneous, and for the most part strangers to one another. 
Unusual progress was made under Dr. Eager's leadership, 
not only in numbers and material strength, but also in or- 
ganized power for aggressive Christian work; so that he left 
them three hundred strong and compactly joined together for 
the Master's use. As a preacher, Dr. Eager has singular 
gifts, his sermons affording a rich combination of intellectual 
vigor, oratorical grace and spiritual fervor. As a man he is 
genial and large-hearted, and so his influence is potent be- 
yond the pale of his own people. His congregations embrace 
a multitude of young men of the noble sort, who belong to no 
church and are attracted by his cordial friendliness and his 
pulpit power." 

At the meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention held 
at Dallas, Texas, in 1894, Dr. Eager was elected to preach 
the Convention Sermon at the next session — the session to be 
celebrated as the fiftieth anniversary of its organization. 

Though the eldest member now living, of the family of 
nine, he is in the prime of life and has in him yet "the 
promise" and, may the sequel prove, "the potency" of many 
years of usefulness. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



233 



pH 'W& 




John Howard Eager, 

D. D. The following au- 
tobiography of Rev. John 
H. Eager is taken from 
Dr. H. A. Tupper's book, 
A Decade of Missions, 
page 112 fig: "Myfath- 
er's name is Eleazer C. 
Eager, and my mother's 
Harriet Ide Eager. I was 
born in Jefferson county, 
Mississippi, December 
18, 1849. When seven 
years of age I entered 
the preparatory depart- 
ment of Mississippi Col- 
lege, in Clinton, and re- 
mained three or four 
sessions, till the break- 
JOHN HOWARD EAGER, D. D. ing out of the war, when 
my father moved to the country. While here I took a special 
course in English Grammar (after a new method), taught by 
Prof. Watford, of Alabama. 

"In January, 1867, after several years out of school, I 
was enabled to enter Oakland College, a Presbyterian insti- 
tution, four miles from Rodney, Mississippi, but remained only 
a part of two sessions. In the fall of 1869 I entered Missis- 
sippi College, where I spent five years of continuous and 
hard study. I was baptized in the summer of 1864, when I 
was fourteen years of age, and by my father. This was in 
Copiah county. 

"I graduated at Mississippi College In June, 1874, and 
spent one year in the pastorate before going to the Seminary. 
In September, 1875, I entered the Southern Baptist Theologi- 
cal Seminary, and graduated in May, 1879. I decided to 
spend four years, so as to do considerable extra work. I was 
ordained in Clinton, Mississippi, January 3, 1875, the winter 



234 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

after my graduation. The presbytery was composed of the 
following brethren: Revs. E. C. Eager, George B. Eager, J. 
L. Pettigrew. J. A. Hackett, W. S. Webb and Walter Hill- 
man. I did not wish to be ordained till after I had finished .. 
my course at the Theological Seminary, but a call to Vicks- 
burg made it necessary. 

"My first sermon was preached in Clinton, Mississippi — 
a trial sermon — before I received my license. This was in 
November, 1870. The following summer I preached several 
times in as many different places. During the last three ses- 
sions in college I preached once or twice each month. My 
vacations were spent mostly in protracted meetings, preach- 
ing sometimes nearly every day. I shall never forget the 
summer of 1872, which was spent in South Mississippi. 
There were nearly two hundred professions in the meetings 
in which I labored. The congregations were very large all 
the time, and the interest marked. In January, 1875, I t°°k 
charge of the Baptist church in Vicksburg, and remained until 
the following fall when I entered the Seminary. The vaca- 
tion of 1876 (four months) was spent with two country 
churches in South Carolina, formerly under the pastoral 
care of Rev. R. H. Griffith. The churches were really ripe 
for a revival, though they did not seem to think so. Two 
good protracted meetings resulted in forty baptisms, and an 
unusual interest on the part of the whole community. 

"In 1877 I spent my vacation in Memphis, supplying the 
pulpit of the First Baptist church. The church was large, the 
membership scattered, the weather hot, the work hard, but 
the experience was a peculiarly profitable one. In the fol- 
lowing December (while in the Seminary in Louisville), 
urged by pecuniary necessity, I accepted a call from the Bap- 
tist church in Midway, Kentucky, left vacant by the removal 
of their pastor to Baltimore. Here I endeavored to do double 
work, going up every Saturday, preaching twice on Sunday, 
doing some pastoral work, returning on Monday, and attend- 
ing regular lectures at the Seminary during the week. My 
health suffered, but a rest in Virginia restored it. The sum- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 235 

mer after graduating, I supplied the pulpit of the Eutaw Place 
Baptist church, Baltimore, during the pastor's vacation. In 
October, 1879, I accepted a call to Manchester (Va.) Baptist 
church, expecting to enter the foreign field the following sum- 
mer or fall. In July, 1880, I resigned the Manchester church 
in order to visit the South and West in the interest of mis- 
sions, and to say good-bye to relatives and friends. The trip 
was pleasant but sad. Sad to me, but sadder to those I was 
leaving, especially an aged father, who seemed to cling to a 
parting son with peculiar devotion. Owing to the season of 
the year, collections for missions were small, but I trust some 
permanent good was done, and some new interest created, on 
the part of individuals and churches. 

"As to facts and incidents looking to a missionary life, I 
can only say this: I began to think seriously of missionary 
work about ten years ago, almost simultaneously with my 
determination to preach the gospel. The conviction that I 
ought to become a foreign missionary had a small beginning, 
and ripened very slowly; but it began, and it ripened, and at 
length laid hold of my heart so firmly that scarcely a day 
passed for years that it was out of my thoughts and my prayers. 
I was a constant reader of the Baptist Missionary Magazine, 
of Boston, and often when earnest appeals came for more 
laborers in the great field white for the harvest, or when some 
faithful missionary had suddenly died at his post, and another 
was anxiously called for to take his place, my whole nature 
was stirred to its deepest depths and I responded involuntarily: 
'Lord, here am I, send me.' I shall never forget the little 
room in the rear of the college chapel, the place of all others, 
at that time, that I held sacred. In that room I spent some 
of the sweetest hours of my life. There I received strength 
many times for the duties that lay before me-. There (how 
distinctly I remember the very day) I dedicated myself to 
God as a foreign missionary, to go anywhere or do anything 
that he had for me to do. I said very little about the matter 
to anyone, for I dreaded publicity, and feared I would not 
have the sympathy and encouragement of my brethren. But 



236 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

I need not enter further into my inner life on this subject than 
to say that, after ten years of prayer and faithful preparation, 
God is about to grant the chiefest desire of my heart and 
make me a foreign missionary, not in China, as I had ex- 
pected, but in Rome." 

Dr. Tupper says: "It may be added that Mr. Eager was 
accepted by our Board, as a missionary to China, on the 4th 
of August, 1879; that he entered, temporarily, on the pastor- 
ate of the Baptist church, at Manchester, near Richmond, 
Virginia; and that he was transferred, with his free consent, 
to the Italian Mission, on July 5, 1880. He married at Lib- 
erty, Bedford county, Virginia, October 6, 1880, Miss Olive 
M. Board, daughter of Dr. C. A. Board, a resident and native 
of the county. They sailed for their missionary field on 
October 14, 1880, and arrived at Rome on the 12th of Novem- 
ber. The following is from the Religions Herald of October, 
1880: 

"'Testimonial to Rev. John H. Eager: Whereas, 
In the order of Divine Providence, it has become necessary that 
our beloved brother, the Rev. J. H. Eager, should sever his con- 
nection with this church as pastor; and WHEREAS, It is proper 
that we should give expression to our high appreciation of the 
valuable services he has rendered this church, Therefore be 
it Resolved, (1) That while we yield submissively to the 
decrees of an All-wise Providence in directing our brother to 
the foreign mission field, it is with feelings of deep sorrow 
that we part with one who has endeared himself to us, not 
only by his fervent piety, his kind and gentle disposition, but 
by his self-sacrificing spirit, his untiring energy and unceas- 
ing labors for the cause of Christ since he came among us. 
(2) That by this separation the church loses, not only an 
able and faithful preacher of the Gospel, but a model pastor, 
who under God has, in the short period of nine months, 
drawn together and united a disorganized and scattered mem- 
bership, and thus enabled us to liquidate a debt of five 
hundred dollars, which hung like a pall over the energy and 
usefulness of the church; and in addition thereto has materially 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 237 

improved and beautified our house of worship and grounds. 
(3) That we feel grateful to God our heavenly Father that 
he sent Bro. Eager among us, and that in his new and arduous 
field of labor we will follow him with our deepest sympathy, 
our warmest love and interest for his success and hap- 
piness, and our constant prayers for God's choicest blessings 
on him and his labors. Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH E. 
Davidson, Samuel E. Woodfin, Thomas P. Matthews, 
Committee.' 

" 'At a meeting of the Manchester (Va.) Baptist church, 
held Sunday morning, July 11, 1880, after services, the above 
preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted, and the 
clerk was directed to spread the same upon the record, deliver 
a copy to Bro. Eager, and to the Religious Herald for publi- 
cation. John W. Hall, Clerk.' 

" 'Recognition Services: The following is taken from 
the Richmond Dispatch of October 12, 1880: 'A large mass- 
meeting of Richmond Baptists, was held in the First church 
Sunday night in recognition of Rev. John Howard Eager and 
his accomplished wife, who sail this week to Italy as mission- 
aries of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. J. L. M. 
Curry, President of the Foreign Mission Board, presided. 
The services were opened by an invocation and hymn, fol- 
lowed by the reading of a portion of Scriptures by Prof. H. 
H. Harris, and prayer by Rev. Dr. C. H. Read. Rev. Henry 
McDonald, D. D., was the first speaker. He presented in an 
earnest and eloquent address the discouragements and hope- 
fulness of the mission work in Italy. The discouragements 
were found" in the tenacity with which the Italians still cling- 
to the superstitions of the Romish church, their erroneous im- 
pressions of what Protestantism really is, and the skepticism 
which almost everywhere prevails. Rev. W. E. Hatcher, 
D. D., made a graceful allusion to the missionary and his fair 
bride, me Miss Olive M. Board, of Bedford county, Va. He 
referred to the oneness of the Home and Foreign Mission 
work. The lines of distinction are gradually becoming ob- 
literated; the telegraph and steam now bring us in easy com- 



238 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

munication with what were once far distant lands; our mis- 
sionaries now alternate in their work between the home and 
foreign fields. Dr. George B. Taylor, now the missionary of 
the Southern Baptists in Italy, was once a pastor in this State, 
and Dr. J. B. Hartwell, who twenty years ago sailed for 
China as a missionary, is now working among the Chinese in 
California. Rev. J. H. Eager, the departing missionary, was 
next introduced, and made an effective and feeling address, in 
which he reviewed the work of missions for the past eighty 
years, and spoke with loving enthusiasm of the encourage- 
ments to labor among the unsaved of other lands. A tine 
scholar, an able preacher, a high-toned gentleman, and a de- 
vout and efficient worker, Mr. Eager will add great strength 
to this mission of Southern Baptists, while his accomplished 
wife will prove, indeed, a "helpmeet" not only to him, but to 
the mission. Mr. Eager's successful labors in Manchester 
have endeared him, not only to that community, but to Rich- 
mond, and he carries with him to his distant field the warm 
sympathies, best wishes and most fervent prayers of our peo- 
ple. The exercises were closed by an interesting address to 
the missionary by Rev. H. A. Tupper, D. D., the efficient 
and able corresponding secretary of the Foreign Mission 
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.' " 

During these fourteen years of Dr. Eager 's missionary 
life in Italy the bright hopes of his friends have been fully 
realized in the efficient work he has performed on his field of 
labor. He has been wise, energetic and faithful in his work 
and God's blessing has rested upon it. The trustees of Mis- 
sissippi College, his Alma Mater, in 1890, conferred upon him 
the honorable degree of D. D. His letters to the Foreign 
Mission Journal relative to the progress of the mission work 
in Italy are always full of interest and profit. 

A. H. Edmonson was born in Lauderdale county, Ala- 
bama, June 14, 1836. He came with his parents to Northern 
Mississippi when about six years old. His father was a 
farmer, and he was therefore raised on the farm and learned 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 239 

to till the soil. His opportunities for an education were quite 
limited. He went to the common schools, in the old log 
houses, some three months in the year and would then drop 
out perhaps for a year or two. The matter of education was 
then not so prominently before the young as now. Thoughts 
of a finished education rarely passed through the minds of the 
country youth. Young, Edmonson says he rarely ever heard 
of such an educational institution as Mississippi College, and 
when he did it was with the impression that only the sons of 
the rich could obtain admission into this institution of learning, 
as the poor farmer-boys' means were too short for such high 
positions. 

Leaving North Mississippi in 1859 he came south to the 
city of Vicksburg, where he worked at the carpenter's trade 
until January, i860. While working at Steene's Creek, 
Rankin county, he was thrown from a scaffold, breaking the 
femur bone of the right leg, which confined him to bed and 
home several months. Later he moved to Simpson county, 
Miss., where, in December, 1861, he was married to Miss 
Mary Pruitt. . The fruit of this marriage was nine children 
reared to maturity. Being a cripple and of delicate physique, 
he was exempt from the hardships and exposures of the late 
war. 

Religious impressions were made upon him in early life. 
He had a great anxiety to become a Christian, being often at 
the altar of prayer and often in tears and grief because of sin . 
These seasons would pass and the impressions wear away at 
times. Then he could be found taking great pleasure in un- 
godliness; after which a season of prayers and tears would 
again seize him. It seemed to him that in these bitter sor- 
sows were the penitent, bitter reflections of a penitent sinner. 
Days, weeks, months and years came and went, until in a fit 
of anger he used the sacred name of God in an oath of cursing. 
He was so mortified at this that he prayed God that his 
tongue should be paralyzed rather than that he should again 
use the Divine name in such wicked expressions. The prayer 
was made on Saturday before the accident mentioned above 



240 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

took place on Monday afternoon. He felt that God had 
answered his prayer in his own good time and way, and sent 
this affliction, though hitter, that he might have ample time to 
repent. God then turned his heart to his praise and loosed 
his tongue to teach transgressors his ways that sinners might 
be converted unto Him. He says: "I thank God for thus di- 
recting my life as 1 trust to His glory*" He was ordained to 
the full work of the gospel ministry by order of the New Zion 
Missionary Baptist church on the 7th day of March, 1869. 
Revs. A. A. Rogers and Daniel Giddens constituted the pres- 
bytery. Since that solemn consecration his time has been 
spent in preaching to churches in the Strong River and Spring- 
field Associations. He has baptized a great many into the 
faith which he has preached, and that is into a belief in Christ 
as a personal Savior. He has married almost a hundred 
couples. He is now (1894) fifty-eight years old. In regard 
to his call to the ministry he says: "I had deep impressions 
and a desire to teach others the way of life. 1 have great joy 
in laboring among men in the interest of their salvation; and 
also have a fixed purpose to contend earnestly tor the faith 
once delivered to the saints." 

He writes: "I thank the Lord for the protecting care he 
has thrown around me during all these years; and pray that 
the future of my life may be spent in ministering his Word 
to sinners, and that an abundance of his rich grace may be 
given to support and comfort us as we drift into the future of 
time, bending under the weight of years. Then, in the bright 
and glorious Beyond, may we all bloom in eternal youth; and 
unto Him who hath washed us in His own blood be glory and 
honor evermore. Amen." 

William A. Edwards. The following occurs in the wri- 
ter's History of Louisville Association, p. 57, written 1883: 
"William A. Edwards a young man and a half brother of 
Rev. N. Q. Adams, was bom December 22, 1850, lives near 
and is a member of Bethlehem church, Oktibbeha county. 
He was converted and joined the church in 1871. He is quite 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 24 1 

young as a minister, and a short time since, to aid him in his 
education, the Association presented him (and also four other 
ministers), a number of excellent books. His record is yet to 
be made up. May his life be spared many years and may he 
do much good for the Master." He was licensed to preach in 
1872, and ordained in 1874. . 

During a large portion of the ten years following the 
date of the above note Mr. Edwards has been greatly afflicted 
with rheumatism, so that his ministry has been seriously 
interfered with, and the question of a subsistance for himself 
and family has even been a serious question. To aid him in 
this respect his friends, in 1887, secured for him the election 
to the place of Treasurer of Choctaw county, and re-elected 
him in 1889, which office, though paying a small salary, 
requires very little active service. At last accounts he still 
lived at his home in Choctaw county, near Ackerman, on the 
Aberdeen branch of the I. C. Railway. In 1891 he was cho- 
sen colporteur of the Louisville Association, and was chosen 
for the same work the next year, and also the next. He was 
the present year (1894) colporteur of the Chester Association, 
and also preached at Sykes Chapel and Ennis in Choctaw 
and Oktibbeha counties, with improved health. 

A. W. Elledge. Of this aged and useful minister the 
following note occurs in the writer's History of Columbus 
Association, p. 118, written in 1881: "A. W. Ellege was one 
of the first missionaries of the body. After leaving this work 
he became missionary in the Aberdeen Association, thence 
removed within the bounds of Cold Water, and now lives in 
Williamson county, Texas, where he is still a popular and 
useful minister." He wrote from Jonesboro, Texas, April 
22, 1881: "Your card is at hand, but I must inform you that 
the minutes of Columbus Association, for which you ask, were 
destroyed during the war. I rode as missionary for Colum- 
bus Association in 1843. I baptized, that year, one hundred 
and twenty-six persons, and organized four churches. One 
of the churches that I organized was in Marion county, Al- 



242 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

abama, and into the fellowship of that church 1 baptized the 
lamented Rev. T. P. Montgomery, who died a short time 
since in Texas. In 1844 and 1845 Bro. N. Sansing rode as 
missionary. One of the churches that I organized was in 
your county (Oktibbeha) at Double Springs; one on Line 
Creek; on* at the mouth of Buttehachie river at Smith's 
Mills; and one on Bogne Creek, Marion county, Alabama. 
May the Lord bless you. Your brother in Christ, — A. W. 
Elledge." 

At that time Mr. Elledge had a sister, Mrs. Nancy Arch- 
ibald, living at Double Springs, Oktibbeha county. His 
name appears in the Year Book for the last time in 1883, at 
Duff an, Texas, and as he was quite an old man at that time 
it is probable he died soon after. Dr. William Car«ey Crane, 
in 188 1, wrote: "He has been and is a popular and useful 
preacher." 

J. C. Ellerbe, a native of Cheraw, Chester district, S. C, 
was born December 25, 1825. He came t<> Lauderdale county, 
Miss., in 1846, and was employed as teacher of the school at the 
Trussell school house, which he taught three years or more. 
During this time he joined the Methodist organization. He 
was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Trussell, December 14, 
1848. May, 1849, ne joined the traveling connection and 
was assigned to the Mount Pleasant circuit. He continued 
with the Methodists about ten years. He was then baptized 
into the fellowship of the Tallahatta Baptist church, Lauder- 
dale county. He settled on a farm near the church. Shortly 
after his baptism he was ordained to the full work of the min- 
istry and served Tallahatta and neighboring churches until 
the Civil War began. He gave up his pastorate and went 
into the Confederate service as First Lieutenant of Company 
I., Thirty-seventh Mississippi Regiment. 

He returned after the war closed, broken in health and 
finances. Gen. Sherman's army had stripped his farm of 
almost everything, leaving wife and little ones destitute. He 
went to work on the farm for a subsistence and preached as 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 243 

he was able to contiguous churches. He preached each month 
for three years to a church thirty miles from home, and when 
his horses were busy plowing he walked, and did not receive 
more than thirty dollars a year for his services. Of course, 
he remained poor. He died early in life, comparatively 
speaking. He preached his last sermon to New Prospect Bap- 
tist church, Newton county, on the first Sunday in November, 
1880, his text being the twenty-third Psalm. In his closing 
remarks he said, in substance; "Brethren, my work is done. 
You have listened to my last sermon. Before your time of 
meeting comes again you will hear that I am gone. But don't 
grieve. Just say, A sinner saved by grace, through faith in 
the Lord Jesus Christ." In the altar' he prayed for church 
and people, closing with a petition for his "preacher boy." 
This "preacher boy," T. M. Ellerbe, says: "I can never for- 
get that prayer, although I had heard him pray for me con- 
stantly all my life." 

According to his presentiment, he went home, took his 
bed, and gradually grew worse, though not seemingly dan- 
gerous, until Sunday morning, November 20, 1880, when he 
quietly, peacefully, triumphantly passed from earth to heaven, 
leaving a wife, five boys and two girls. The wife and daughters 
were Methodists. His remains were laid in the New Prospect 
cemetery to await the last trumpet. 

At his burial a Methodist preacher, who was in attend- 
ance, said: "I have known him for years, and in that time I 
have known many preachers; but he was the ablest sermon- 
izer, had the best flow of language, could present his sermons 
in the easiest and plainest manner, and he was the best com- 
mentator on the Bible, and the safest counsellor in matters of 
Christianity, I have ever known." His ability and earnest- 
ness were acknowledged and admired by all who knew him, 
but he was not popular as a minister — he never desired popu- 
larity. It was thought that he was too uncompromising in 
what he believed, that he had too little charity for those who 
differed from him, and that he was too bold in his attacks and in 
his denunciations of sin. That he had faults, he knew and 



244 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

always deplored. But he was faithful in all the relations of 
life. — His son, T. M. ELLERBE. 

Theophilus Hoody Ellerbe was born on a Methodist 
circuit (the exact place he doesn't know) September 2, 1849. 
Among the first things he remembers is his mother's teaching 
him the little prayer, ''Now I lay me down to sleep" and to 
sing, "Alas, and did my Savior bleed?" "When seven years 
old," he says, "I knew the Methodist Discipline, its prayers, 
almost all in it, by heart. And now I thank God and praise 
my mother for the exceeding great interest she took in me. 
Yet she made a mistake, and had it not been for that mistake 
I should have been a Christian much sooner. The mistake: 
Because I was sprinkled ('christened,' as I was -taught to 
say) in my infancy, because my parents were Christians, 
because 1 said my prayers, sang my hymns, and read my 
Bible, and did no one any harm, I was a Christian. All I 
had to do, 1 thought, was to keep from 'falling from grace,' 
and heaven would be my home. The Baptists, 1 imagined, 
were a low grade of people, and 1 never heard one preach 
until 1 was about fifteen years of age, when to my astonish- 
ment and great distress, I learned that I was in my sins, 
knowing nothing of the way of salvation. In my sixteenth 
year (September, 1865) I was baptized upon a public profes- 
sion of my faith in Jesus, by Rev. A. Gressett, into the 
Beulah Baptist church, Newton county, Mississippi." 

On December 29, 1869, he was married to Miss Mary F. 
Williamson, near Hickory Station. In 1870 he moved into 
the neighborhood of New Prospect Baptist church, and, with 
his wife, united with that church by letter from Beulah. In 
1871 he was ordained deacon, elected Sunday school super- 
intendent and leader of prayer-meetings. In 1872 he was 
liberated to preach,' and since that time he does not remember 
that there has been a Sunday, except when he was sick, that 
he has not had an appointment to preach. In 1873 he was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry by request of the 
New Prospect church, and served as pastor of that church ten 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 24$ 

years, serving from three to four others during this time. 
While pastor at New Prospect he organized, built and served 
as pastor Pleasant Ridge Baptist church, Scott county; organ- 
ized, built and served as pastor High Hill Baptist church, 
Leake county; re-organized and served as pastor Old Union, 
Scott county; and was pastor of Pinckney church, Newton 
county. In the fall of 1883 he resigned the pastoral care of 
the churches just mentioned, being impressed with the duty 
of working in Franklin county. In 1874 he located near 
Hamburg, Franklin county, and served as pastor Bethlehem 
(now Hamburg), Union, Sarepta, and organized Philadelphia 
and McNair churches. In 1890 his health broke down and 
he was forced to resign the pastorate of these churches. In 
F891 he moved to Natchez for change of medical treatment 
and that his children could earn a support for the family, as 
he was forced to depend upon them in this respect. In 1893 
his physician, Dr, Hall, of Natchez, said he might take some 
work if he would not overwork himself. He served as pastor 
Longview, Natchez, and Gilbert church, La. In 1894 these 
two churches, with Philadelphia, New Salem and Sicily 
Island churches constituted his field of labor. 

He thus sums up his past life: "I was born in 1849, 
baptized in 1865, ordained as deacon in 1871, and ordained 
as pastor in 1873. The war and ill-health prevented me 
from being educated. 1 was, for a short time, student at 
Mississippi College, but ill-health and poverty cut short my 
course. What I have learned has been by fire-light. I have 
nothing to boast of, but much for which I am devoutly thank- 
ful. I have not had the success which some of my brother 
pastors have had, but I have never had a church drop me 
and call another in my stead. Have always had the respect 
and confidence of my churches. Never had a church trouble 
— peace and unity have prevailed. Never had a church to 
fail to do something for missions and ministerial education. 
Never had a church that did not do about what it was able 
for my support. I have no complaint to make of any of the 
churches I have served. I love them and am truly thankful 



246 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

for their kindness to me. God bless them and make me 
worthy of their confidence." 

A. B. Ellington, of Thomasville, Leake county, Miss., 
was born in Jefferson county, Ala., November 4, 1837, and 
professed faith in Christ at Ruhama Baptist church, in Shelby 
county, in 185 1. Afterwards he, with his father's family, 
moved to Mississippi. In August, 1856, he united with the 
Baptist church at Long Creek, in Attalla county. On July 
7, 1859, he were married to Miss M. E. M. George, of Leake 
county, and there was born unto them eleven children, seven 
of whom survive him. He was ordained to, and served ac- 
ceptably, in the office of deacon for sometime, and on August 
14, 1884, was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by 
the church at Canaan of Harmony Association,' in Leake 
county, where he spent the remainder of his life. Bro. 
Ellington was a devout Christian, sound in the Baptist faith, 
always willing to bear his part of the burdens in church work; 
also one of those unassuming servants of Christ, who pre- 
ferred his brethren before himself. He was a kind husband, 
a lenient father, a good neighbor and a pleasant yoke-fellow 
in the ministry. After suffering one week of severe sickness, 
in which he was resigned to the will of his heavenly Father, 
he fell asleep in the triumphs of a living faith, on July 23, 
1894, aged fifty-six years, eight months and eighteen days. 
God grant to the bereft sister, children and relatives the com- 
forting influence of the Holy Spirit. — W. P. DORRILL. 

D. A. Ellington, "of Attalla county, although entering 
upon his work in advanced life, was an earnest and zealous 
minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many attentive hearers 
crowded his ministry, and many through his instrumentality 
were led to accept Christ as their Savior. He was eminently 
successful in his work of winning souls. But in the full ma- 
turity of Christian manhood he was called to his reward since 
our last convention. 'He rests from his labors, and his works 
do follow him.' " — Minutes of State Conventioii oj 1882. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 247 

J. T. Ellis, son of Wm. and Zilpha Ellis, was born April 
22, 1850, in Holmes county, Miss. He obtained faith in 
Christ, August, 1869, on a profession of which he was bap- 
tized by Rev. F. S. Wright and received into the full fellow- 
ship of the Pleasant Ridge Baptist church, Holmes county, but 
shortly afterwards removed by letter to Bowling Green 
church. Like all other converted sinners he began to cry 
out, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" 

He writes: "With a consciousness of the fact that life's 
work had now begun, I could not content myself to be a drone 
in the church of which I was a member. So I began, by the 
solicitation of my brethren, to participate in public worship. 
I was not yet satisfied; there was a kind of impression on my 
mind that I could not keep to myself, nor could I get my con- 
sent to reveal it to others, in fact, in my own thoughts the 
question was not settled. Finally the impression got out, and 
to this day I do not know how, that Tommie Ellis was going 
to be a preacher. 

"In the summer of 1870 I met with that noble man of 
God, James Nelson, who was then agent for Mississippi Col- 
lege. He sought a private interview with me, and, by his 
gentle manners and easy approach, together with the interest 
he manifested in my welfare, he soon gained my confidence. 
After satisfying himself (as he told me afterwards) he advised 
me like a father and gave me much encouragement. Shortly 
after I met Rev. A. A. Lomax, whom I had already learned 
to love. He began at once to make preparations for me to 
attend Mississippi College. In September, 1871, with a 
recommendation from him, I made application to the Board of 
Ministerial Education and, after an examination by the board, 
was received as a beneficiary. I was a student of the college 
for three years. Two years of the time I did not question my 
call to the ministry. When I had finished the third term I 
decided that my impressions to preach were not sufficiently 
great; and after all I thought it possible that the impressions 
to preach were made on my mind by the earnest solicitations 
of my friends, instead of the Spirit. I thought, how wrong it 



248 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

would be to go through school and then perhaps decide that it 
was not my duty to preach. So I reluctantly made up my 
mind to let Bro. Nelson into the secret of my trouble. He 
was greatly surprised when I unfolded to him my secret 
thoughts. I proposed to him that I go home, at least for 
twelve months, and there in my private life 1 could decide the 
weighty matter. But he did not think it best and advised me 
to stay right'there until I had settled the question. I wanted 
to take his advice, so I went back to my room and resumed 
my studies. For a few days I was satisfied, but this was 
only temporary relief. I again began to think of the great re- 
sponsibilities that would soon be placed on me as a preacher, 
and, with all of that, might fail to meet the expectations of my 
brethren, and that too, my own expectations might be disap- 
pointed, as it was my ambition to be a 'big' preacher. So I 
decided that I must go home. I would work for the Lord in 
the Sunday school and prayer meetings. By this time Bro. 
Nelson had gone from home to be away for several weeks. 
My decision I thought permanent. 1 went to Dr. W. S. 
Webb, who was then president of the college and told him, in 
tears, my intentions. He would not consent for me to leave 
college till Bro. Nelson returned, but I went to him the third 
time and so earnestly besought him that he finally consented. 
"I told him that I felt relieved and that I had but one 
more great trouble, and that was to break the news to my 
mother.- As I bade him good bye I can never forget his part- 
ing words: 'Bro. Ellis, I believe the Lord has called you to 
preach. Of course I do not know; that is a matter between 
you and your Lord. But if 1 am right I shall not be surprised 
at anything that I hear has befallen you; and, besides, your 
course is against the college.' When I had reached Jackson, 
ten miles on my way home, while in the Edwards house, 
awaiting the north bound train, I realized my mistake, but 
cannot express the deep anguish of my soul. I could not re- 
trace my steps. I almost rebelled against God. The thought 
was, I will ?iot preach. I will do anything else. I struggled 
on in this condition until I decided that if I could be a 'Metho- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 249 

dist' and obtain license to exhort, that would satisfy my con- 
science. So I became a Methodist, 'profem., 7 and in my new re- 
lationship was happy a few weeks, but soon found that I had 
added fuel to the fire. I was then at my row's end. What 
could I do? I had cut myself loose from my church and every 
attempt was a failure. I was undone. I tried to forget all I 
had ever learned. I hated to think of the old college I had 
once loved so dearly, and I never wanted to see any of my 
once dear college mates. 

"1 surrendered at length. I told the Lord I was willing 
to be a little country preacher (a character I had always ab- 
hored) if he would only give me a conscience void of offence. 
I promised myself that I would apply for membership to the 
church of my choice. If they received me I would be happy, 
if they rejected me I would not blame them. For how could 
they have any confidence in me? This I did, and to my sur- 
prise they cordially welcomed me, and soon proposed to 
license me to preach. The next year I became their pastor 
and am serving them still. Thus eight years of my life is 
lost. I speak of it hoping that others may profit by my ex- 
perience. 'Quench not the Spirit.' " 

He was licensed to preach in November, 1882, by the Mt. 
Pleasant church, and ordained April 8, 1883. The ordaining 
council was composed of Revs. T. S. Wright, L. C. White- 
head and T. J. Bailey. His work for the last eleven years 
has been pleasant and encouraging*. He is now (1894) serv- 
ing two churches of his first pastorate. He has baptized a 
goodly number, has served every year from three to five 
churches, has been pastor of only eight different churches. 
His labors as pastor have been confined to Holmes and Carroll 
counties, Miss., and within the bounds of Yazoo Association. 

S. M. Ellis, D. D., was born in Kemper county, Miss., 
August 7, 1854. He was reared in the paternal home on the 
farm in Rankin county. His early education was such as the 
country neighborhood school afforded during the war between 
the States. After the war, and early in his youth, he attended 



250 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the Virginia Military Institute, of Lexington, Va. He very 
early developed a talent for trade, beginning with a clerkship. 
He soon entered upon a mercantile career on his own account 
at Steen's Creek, the home of his boyhood, and within a short 
time laid the foundation for a fine business. He was married 
to Miss Linda Bennett, daughter of ex-Gov. Jos. Bennett, of 
Brandon, Miss., Feb. 16, 1876, and has found in her a worthy 
and faithful wife. 

He was converted several years after marriage (1879) at 
Steen's Creek, under the special labors of Rev. M. T. Martin, 
the pastor of the Steen's Creek Baptist church, Rev. Jesse 
Woodall baptizing him, and also his wife, from the Methodists, 
during the same meeting. Before his profession of faith in 
Jesus Christ, Mr. Ellis was far from a religious life.. He was 
regarded as wicked and skeptical. His conversion marked a 
radical change in his life in many ways. He at once aband- 
oned the sale of spirituous liquors, which was connected with 
his mercantile business. He entered at once actively upon 
the obligations and duties of a church member, leading prayer 
meetings, teaching and superintending Sunday school, and 
erecting an altar to the Lord in his own home. This new 
life seemed to wean him from his mercantile business; one 
year following his baptism he disposed of this interest, im- 
pressed that God had called him to preach the gospel of 
Christ. By encouragement of the church he preached his 
first sermon in the autumn of 1880 in the old Steen's Creek 
church. He was regularly licensed in June, 1881, by this 
church, and gave the summer to such evangelistic work as a 
beginner in the ministry should undertake. Encouraged by 
the Divine blessings upon his efforts, and feeling the need of 
a more thorough training than his early education afforded 
him, he decided to take a course in Mississippi College. He 
moved with his family — wife and two children — to Clinton in 
time to enter upon regular class work, January, 1882. He 
was a hard student, and perhaps taxed a frail constitution 
above its capacity. He was an active leader among the 
students throughout his college career; the anniversarian of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 2$ I 

his society (the Hermenian), in 1885. He was graduated 
from Mississippi College, in a class *of eight, in June, 1885. 
Mr. Ellis' ministerial career began while a student in Missis- 
sippi College. He commenced preaching once a month to a 
few Baptist families at the town of Hermanville in the summer 
of 1883. hi January, 1884, he organized the little flock into 
a church, and continued preaching to them as missionary 
pastor on his own charges. While laboring there a house of 
worship on an accessible and commanding location was ob- 
tained, the membership more than doubled, and the Baptists' 
cause brought to the front. He was called to the care of the 
New Hope church, Madison county, in 1886; also for a part of 
the time to minister to the saints at his old home, the Steen's 
Creek church. In both of these fields he did a fine work in 
enlarging and developing the membership. He remained 
pastor of the New Hope church five years, and with the 
Steen's Creek people three years. His present field of minis- 
terial labor is with the church at Edwards, where he has been 
pastor for eight years, and at Flora, where he has been four 
years. He believes in the permanency of the pastoral rela- 
tion, and attributes whatever success he enjoys in the min- 
istry to a continuance of labor in a work, believing that in 
continuance in well doing "we shall reap if we faint not." 

In the fall of 1889 he was elected secretary of the Board 
of Ministerial Education. Into this work he carried his usual 
zeal and business energies, accomplishing a success in devel- 
oping ministerial education and popularizing the cause in the 
convention as it perhaps had never enjoyed. During the four 
years of his work as the secretary of the Board there was 
raised and expended more than six thousand dollars upon 
young ministers in Mississippi College. Throughout his min- 
isterial life he has resided in Clinton, enjoying for himself and 
family the educational and religious privileges afforded there 
by Mississippi College and Hillman College, and the excel- 
lent character of its law-abiding Christian citizenship. On 
this account, and the prosperous pastorates in which he has 



2 5 2 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

been continually engaged, he has frequently declined calls to 
large pastorates in this and distant States; 

Dr. Ellis is an active worker in our deliberative bodies; 
is a man of talent and force; of strong convictions and has 
courage to advocate his cause regardless of odds or opposition. 
He has been an unwavering-friend to Mississippi College since 
his student life; was active in the endowment movement, 
writing and laboring assiduously for the success of it. He 
raised more than twelve hundred dollars of this fund in his 
own pastorate, besides assisting other pastors. He is a great 
advocate of missions, and in his independent missionary labors 
he has organized three churches, each of which is maintaining 
a prosperous life. In May, 1894, the Board of Trustees of 
Mississippi College, in annual session, conferred upon him the 
degree of Doctor of Divinity. He is known as a strong writer, 
a sound Baptist, a good preacher, and a faithful, laborious 
pastor. If health does not fail him he will doubtless do yet 
more for our Master. 

William E. Ellis, a nephew of J. T. Ellis, was born in 
Holmes county, Miss., near West Station, on the I. C. R. R., 
September 20, 1869. He made a profession of faith in Jesus 
Christ, and united with Mount Pleasant church in his seven- 
teenth year. He was baptized by his uncle, Rev. J. T. 
Ellis. During the following year he experienced strong 
impressions that it was his duty to preach. He struggled for 
months to rid himself of all such impressions. They, how- 
ever, continued to give him uneasiness of mind until at length 
he made them known to the church. Soon after the church 
heartily licensed him to preach. He entered Mississippi Col- 
lege at the age of nineteen, where he received his education. 
He was ordained to the full work of the ministry December 
29, 1892. While pursuing his studies in college he prea:hed 
occasionally until after his ordination. Then, while yet a 
student, he served his first pastorate with Utica and Salem 
churches, both in Central Association. The first seventeen 
years of his life he spent with his father in labor on a farm. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 253 

Mr. Ellis is yet a young man, not having finished his course 
of study. But he is a young man of fine purpose, of un- 
doubted integrity and modest deportment. He enjoys the 
confidence and esteem of every one in the community in 
which he has lived from childhood. The writer was once 
pastor in this community and found that everybody respected 
and esteemed ''Willie Ellis." 

W. H. H. Fancher was born in Noxubee county, Miss., 
November 1, 1840. At the age of seven, with his father, he 
moved to Attala county. The strict discipline of his Anti- 
mission Baptist parents had a tendency to restrain him while 
off with wild associates. Consequently he was considered a 
moral boy. His father and mother soon joined a missionary 
Baptist church; and his father began to hold family worship 
when his son was twelve years of age. The first prayer the 
son heard from the father caused serious impressions on his 
mind, which continued about two years. During these two 
years he heard his father say that he did not believe in chil- 
dren's religion and that if one of his children should go to the 
altar for prayer he would take him out and teach him better. 
The church his parents had joined was Bear Creek church, then 
recently organized. When in his fifteenth year, the youth 
attended a protracted meeting held at this church. He was 
led to believe himself a very great sinner and so was in deep 
trouble. This burden of sin continued for several days. 
Whenever an invitation was made to penitents to come for- 
ward for prayer he would leave the house, though in great 
distress, because of the remark he had heard from his father. 
He once resolved to remain away from the church entirely, 
but as the time drew near felt irresistibly drawn and so was 
there in season. He finally determined to follow his strong 
inclinations and go forward for prayer and risk the conse- 
quences. At the close of an earnest sermon by Rev. W. M. 
Farrar, he presented himself for prayer. To his surprise his 
father came forward also and fell on his knees and offered 
prayer in his behalf. The youth left the house with an 



2 54 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

increased burden on his heart. His whole soul was intensely 
engaged in pleading for mercy, but all was dark. He had 
gone only a short distance when, while all alone, the burden 
was rolled away and he was made perfectly happy in the 
Savior's love. While he was thus rejoicing by the way-side 
his father and Mr. J. T. Fulks came along. Finding him in 
this happy frame of mind his father asked if he wished to join 
the church. He replied: "Yes, if you are willing." The 
next morning he united with Bear Creek church and began at 
once exercising in public, and leading in prayer. 

In i860, in his twentieth year, he was married to Miss 
L. H. Ward, daughter of Rev. W. R. Ward. In July, 1861, 
he went into the Confederate service, and soon after he con- 
tracted measles and came home, and was at home Nvhen his 
first child was born, October, 1861, When he recovered he 
returned to the army and was a Confederate soldier until July 
28, 1864, when he was captured and carried to Camp Chase, 
Ohio, where he remained a prisoner of war, until June 12, 
1865. While in prison it was a matter of daily occurrence to 
think of the attractions of home where the sun of domestic 
peace shown brightly. During his prison life, while in his 
twenty-fifth year, he had strong impressions of duty to preach 
the gospel. He promised the Lord that if he were spared to 
reach home he would be obedient to these impressions, and 
this now gave him partial relief. Having taken the oath of 
allegiance the 12th of June, 1865, he reached home on the 
23d of June and found wife and babe well. Soon his vow, 
made in prison, began to weigh upon his conscience. His 
impressions were kept to himself for a time and he made 
many plausible excuses for not yielding, and tried to persuade 
himself that such impressions were a delusion of the devil and 
that it would be a disgrace for him to attempt to preach. A 
five years' struggle ensued, and, finding that he could not 
escape these impressions, he determined to yield and do the 
best he could, which was all that God could require. He had 
moved to Arkansas in 1869, and his first public effort was at 
Antioch church, White county, that state, third Sunday in 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 255 

July, 1871. On the second Sunday in September, 1872, in 
Shiloh church, White county, Ark., he was ordained to the 
full work of the ministry. The ordaining presbytery were 
Revs. C. B. Walker and W. R. Ward. The early part of his 
ministerial life was spent in the Caroline Association, Ark., 
but the greater part has been spent in the Louisville Associ- 
ciation. He has had some sore afflictions during his life. 
His wife was an invalid for years but was always ready to 
make any sacrifice for him to meet his appointments. On 
February 20, 1880, she was released from her suffering and 
he has every reason to believe that his loss was her eternal 
gain, and says: ''The Lord gave; the Lord hath taken 
away: blessed be the name of the Lord." He lived a very 
desolate life for a time, and, finding that it was not good for 
a man to be alone, he married again, and says: "I feel that 
the Lord has blessed me with another good wife." 

In his own words: "In 1874 I came back to Mississippi 
and was called to my present field of labor. This is the 
twentieth year of my pastorate with New Zion and 
Beulah churches, and the seventeenth with Bear Creek 
church. My other two churches I have not served so long. 
My educational advantages were very meager, consisting 
mainly of a few weeks between the 'laying by' of crops and 
the time to gather them, and at little country schools which 
were often very poorly conducted." No minister in the 
State enjoys a greater measure of the esteem and confidence 
of his brethren and the community at large than Mr. Fancher. 
He has, for a number of years been moderator of the Louis- 
ville Association. His churches also develop uuder his min- 
istry. 

W. M. Fancher was an uncle of Rev. W. H. H. Fancher. 
He moved from Noxubee county to Attala county in 1857. 
His nephew thinks that when he came to Attala he was a 
Cumberland Presbyterian. However, soon after he moved 
he united with Bear Creek Baptist church. He was licensed 
to preach, and in a short time he was ordained to the full 



2 56 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

work of the ministry. The ordaining council consisted of 
Revs. D. M. Sims and W. R. Ward. He continued with 
Bear Creek church until 1862, when he moved to Louisiana. 
It is unknown to the writer whether he still lives. If he does, 
he must be considerably advanced in years. 

E. A. Fant was born in Abbeville district, S. C, Janu- 
ary 4, 1 841, but in early life moved to Mississippi. He was 
partly raised in Tippah county, North Mississippi, and moved 
thence to Choctaw county in the year 1853. At New Zion 
church, in 1858, he attended a meeting conducted by the 
pastor, Rev. David M. Sims, aided by Rev. W. R. Ward, and 
which began the second Sunday in August and continued two 
weeks. On Thursday during the meeting young Fant, then 
eighteen years of age, began to feel concern for the salvation 
of his soul, and presented himself for prayer on Friday morn- 
ing. By this time he was so deeply concerned that he could 
feel no interest in any company. Brethren who were camped 
at the church desired him to go and take refreshments with 
them, but his soul was so burdened that he declined, pre- 
ferring to begone and desiring only to be relieved of the 
trouble gnawing at his heart. He desired only to feel that 
"peace which passeth all understanding." On Friday night 
he was among the first at the anxious seat, but the services 
closed and he still felt himself to be a lost sinner and was in 
anguish of soul. Saturday passed, leaving him still in deep 
trouble. The meeting went on. After the Saturday morning 
service, near the close of the meeting, he went home with an 
uncle, two miles away, though he was not company for any 
one. He went to a secret spot in a grove and tried to pray, 
but still found no relief. He was at church again that night, 
the last night of the meeting. Mr. Sims occupied the pulpit. 
At the close of the service penitents were invited to come 
forward for prayer. Young Fant was among the first to 
accept the imitation. Prayer was offered twice, and he felt 
from the depth of his heart that if the services closed that 
night leaving him as he then was he would be lost. "But," 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 257 

he says, "blessed be the name of the Lord! prayer was offered 
once more by our beloved brother, Henry H. Fancher, of 
Bear Creek church, and while he was praying I felt that the 
burden of sin was taken away and that I loved everybody." 
On the Sunday following he was baptized by Rev. D. M. 
Sims.. 

When the Civil War began, like all other young men, he 
enlisted in the service of the Confederacy. While in the 
army he felt that God had a work for him to do in the gospel 
ministry. But through timidity he put the matter from him, 
even the leading in public prayer, until after the close of the 
war. In the year 1870 these impressions to preach began to 
grow, and they grew so strong that he could no longer put 
them off. So about this time the Clear Springs church 
licensed him to preach. The same year he was called to 
ordination by this church. A presbytery was called consist- 
ing of Revs. E. W. Norris, N. Baker and J. W. McCarty, who 
ordained him to the full work of the ministry. Shortly after 
this he and Revs. A. H. Boothe and D. P. Jones constituted 
Ebenezer church. Mr. Fant was called to the pastoral care of 
this church and continued in that relation for eight years, 
during which time he baptized fifty persons. About the time 
he became pastor at Ebenezer, he was invited to the pastorate 
of Pine Bluff church, Montgomery county. He served this 
church four years, during which time the church was greatly 
blessed and he baptized fifty persons. In 1873 he was in- 
vited to the pastorate of Clear Springs church and served that 
church for more than ten years. He also served Bluff 
Springs church as pastor for a term of years and, in 1883, 
had baptized forty converts. He says, in a letter to the 
writer, in 1883: "I have had some precious times. I have 
labored in a great many meetings with other brethren where 
we were wonderfully blessed. And, as the Apostle Paul 
would have it, 'By the grace of God I am what I am.' " In 
the year 1883 a terrible cyclone passed through- Choctaw 
county. It was on Sunday and Mr. Fant was preaching to a 
large congregation in Clear Springs church. Seeing the cy- 



258 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

clone and hearing its roar, he paused in his sermon and said: 
"Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Almost as 
by one impulse, the people sank down between the pews. 
The house was completely destroyed and was all taken away 
by the storm except the floor and pews and people. No one 
was injured save one woman, who in her fright rushed from 
the church and was struck by a piece of timber. Mr. Fant's 
home and goods were destroyed, but many kind friends from 
many quarters contributed to the needs of the sufferers. 

Near Chester, Miss., September 20, 1893, Mr. Fant fell 
asleep in Jesus, aged fifty-two years, eight months and six- 
teen days. He was greatly loved and honored by all who 
knew him. In a certain sphere in the Louisville Association 
he wielded a fine influence, for all believed he was a good 
man and a consecrated minister of Jesus Christ. 

J. R. Farish is one of the leading pastors in the State, 
and is about sixty years of age. He is portly in size, has fine 
physique, and is now in the prime of his working power. He 
is a staunch Baptist, an ardent admirer of Dr. J. R. Graves, and 
believes that every Baptist preacher ought to be required to 
read everything Dr. Graves ever wrote. He is very fluent of 
speech, has a good delivery and is quite an acceptable preacher. 
He is ardently devoted to the ''Baptist Record," which he re- 
gards as the great Baptist fertilizer of Mississippi and feels 
that he could talk for it "by the square mile" or "by the acre." 
He is exceedingly fond of a good anecdote and believes that 
a real good one is "a blessing from heaven." He has been 
pastor at Byram, Terry, Brookhaven, Coffeyville, and of other 
important churches. He is now (1894) the highly esteemed 
pastor of the Highlands and Southside churches in Meridian, 
dividing his time equally between them, and occupying a 
pastors home owned by them jointly^ and wielding a fine in- 
fluence in the city. Long may he live~to help on the Lord's 
work in Mississippi. 

William Hadison Farmer was born in De Soto 
(now Tate) County, Miss., March 19, 1853. His early life was 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 259 

obscure, being - the second of three sons and one daughter, 
and of parents in humble circumstances. He obtained such 
limited education as the neighborhood schools afforded. At 
the age of eighteen he was converted to Christ by repentance 
and faith in him as a divine Savior, and eight months later 
united with the Baptist church at Salem, Tate County, and 
was baptized by Rev. Mark Renfroe. In about two years he 
yielded to the impressions of the Holy Spirit to preach the 
gospel, and at once began preparation for the work. He pur- 
sued his studies three years at the Southwestern Baptist Uni- 
versity at Jackson, Tenn., one year at Mississippi College, 
Clinton, Miss., and two years at the Southern Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary, Louisville, Ky. He was at the Seminary 
during the sessions 1881 to 1883. He was ordained to the 
full work of the ministry at Senatobia in the fall of 1880. He 
began his pastoral labors in 1883 in the Coldwater Associa- 
tion where he is still actively engaged in serving churches. 
He was pastor at Longtown, 1883 and 1884, at Spring Hill, 
1883 to 1887; at Union, 1885 to 1890; and at Bold Springs, 
1888 to 1891. He is now (1894) pastor at Pope's Station, Har- 
rison Station, Oak Grove (De Soto) and Unity (Tate). He is 
a preacher of pleasing address, and of much earnestness and 
pathos in the pulpit. He has never kept a diary of his work 
performed, but has baptized from six to seventy-five persons 
each year since 1883. He is now forty years of age, was 
never in better frame of mind, or physical condition, and is 
more than ever determined to live for the glory of God. 

William M. Farrar. Concerning this consecrated, 
laborious and widely useful deceased man of God, the 
writer has been unable to secure any reliable data except the 
following, published in the "Baptist Record" shortly after his 
death: "Elder Wm. M. Farrar was born May 12th, 1809, and 
died May 2d, 1883, being at the time of his death nearly sev- 
enty-four years of age. Brother Farrar was in the ministry 
about fifty years. A large portion of his ministerial life was 
spent in mission and agency work. As far back as 1839, his 
diary shows that he was engaged in missionary work in the 
eastern part of the State. Many of our first churches were 
brought into existence by his efforts. He was agent of for- 



2(5o MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

eign missions for nine years and in that time traveled forty 
thousand miles, and collected in cash, twenty-four thousand 
dollars. When we consider the weakness of our denomin- 
ation then in the State, this was noble work. In the year 1852 
he was agent for Mississippi College, and collected six thou- 
sand seven hundred and fifty dollars. In . 1859, Brother 
Farrar took half interest in the "Mississippi Baptist,'' with Rev. 
Brother J. T. Freeman, and become joint editor, which rela- 
tion continued until the paper passed into the hands of Rev. A. 
Jones, Jr. Rev. Brother Farrar was twice married to daugh- 
ters of Rev. J. Micou, of Winston County. He was married 
to Miss Mary Eliza Micou, October 8th, 1840, which happy 
union continued until the 21st of May, 1857, when this Christly 
woman was called away to rest with Jesus — leaving ten chil- 
dren to be cared for by her bereaved husband, two of whom, 
to-wit: Rev. J. M. Farrar, of Virginia, and Rev. A. J. Farrar, 
of Texas, are ministers of the gospel. On the 2Gth of Aug- 
ust, 1858, Brother Farrar married Miss Ellen B. Micou, who 
one child, a daughter. Brother Farrar's life was one of entire 
consecration to the Master's cause, and many have been 
blessed by his labors. 

"Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore 

thee, 
Since God was thy Redeemer, thy Guardian, thy 

Guide ; 
He gave thee, He took thee, and He will restore 

thee; 
And death hath no sting, since the Savior hath died." 

A. H. BOOTH. 

The writer several times met Mr. Farrar in his advanced 
age, and was deeply impressed with his piety and consecra- 
tion. Once when he himself was just tremblingly entering 
the ministry he heard Mr. Farrar preach a sermon in the Stark- 
ville Baptist Church which was quite helpful. Later he met 
him at Liberty Church, Winston County, at a meeting of days 
in the summer of 1879, and heard him preach an excellent 
sermon. The last time he saw him was at the meeting of the 
Louisville Association, which was held in October, 1881, with 
the Louisville Church. Mr. Farrar's heart had always been 
deeply enlisted in the foreign mission work in which he had 
labored as agent for so many years. When this subject came 
before the body he arose, and his snow-white locks ^«*mand- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 261 

ing instant attention, spoke with unusual fervor, especially 
with reference to the recent Pentecostal ingatherings among 
the Telugus under the labors of Dr. Clough. His name often 
appears in the records of the Louisville Association. 

W. R. Farrow. This excellent brother writes thus of 
his life: "I am the son of a poor, uneducated farmer. My 
boyhood days were spent on the farm where I was engaged in 
the calling of bread-winner. At the age of fifteen I found my- 
self to be a lost sinner and felt that I must do something to he 
saved. So I began the work as I thought; but when I had 
done everything I could do to be saved I still felt myself a 
condemned sinner.. Finding myself thus still lost and at the 
end of my strength I just gave it all up and told the Lord if I 
could be saved he would have to do the work, for I could not 
save myself. When I thus surrendered all into his hands he 
saved me. I was converted at the age of seventeen. When I 
was converted I felt that the Lord had a work for me to do in 
preaching and that I ought to prepare myself for the ministry. 
At the age of nineteen I married, and so began to see some of 
the realities of life. The impressions to preach were however, 
still deepening. I had been a close student of the Bible and 
of other books since my conversion. I concluded that to try 
to preach was too great a work for me to undertake. Still 
the impression prevailed and I was licensed to preach, at the 
age of twenty-one, by Macedonia Church, Union County, 
Miss. At the age of twenty-two I was ordained and called to 
the pastorate of Amaziah Baptist Church, Union County. 
This being the church I joined when I was converted, made it 
a great cross for me to preach for them, but I accepted the 
call and preached for them three, years with good success. 
During my first year's pastorate with this church good Brother 
J. L. Byers, a member of the church, feeling a deep inter- 
est in the church and pastor, noticing the deficiency in my edu- 
cation, made bold to speak to me about it. He insisted that I 
should go to school, and, by his advice and on his money, I 
entered, and continued in school two years, graduating at 
Myrtle, Miss., Academy, June, 1891. Since that time I have 
been regularly in the pastoral work, a work that I love, and in 
which I have been fairly successful. The Lord has furnished 



262 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



me with plenty of work. I preach to from three to four 
churches. My work for the last three years has been divided 
between town and country churches. My heart's desire is to 
become such a preacher as can leave a congregation with their 
eyes on the Savior rather than on the preacher. 

"I have passed through dark places since I have been in 
the ministry, but the hand of the Lord has led me through 
safely, and I am trusting him to lead me to the end. My 
patience and faith are a great deal stronger than when 
I first began, and as I write this sketch of my life 
all the past comes in review before my mind, and 
in it all I can but see myself as a great sinner 
and the Lord as a great Savior. I will close by saying that 
what I am and all that I will ever be is of the Lord. There is 
nothing good in me but what I have received through Jesus. 
Now, as this may be read by others who read the sketches* of 
the ministry of the past and present, I humbly beg all who do 
read these words that I may be regarded as one of the least of 
those who are mentioned but as one with a little faith in the 
greatest Savior the world has ever known." 

Albert Q. Fel= 
der. The fol 1 o w- 
ing sketch of this 
man of God was con- 
tributed by Rev. T. 
C. Schilling, Gills - 
burg, Miss.: "Rev. 
Albert G. Felder 
was born May 22, 
1847, in Amite 
County, Miss. When 
quite young he en- 
listed in the war be- 
tween the States, and 
on returning home 
he united with the 
East Fork Baptist 
Church about 1865. 
He was married 
REV. A. G. FELDER. February 8, I860, to 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 263 

Miss Louisa Williams, who, with nine children, survives 
him. Brother Felder died after a short illness, at his 
home in Gillsburg, Miss., on the 31st day of August, 1887. 
He was licensed to preach by Red Bluff church, St. Helena 
Parish, La., August 28, 1881. He was ordained by the same 
church May 21st, 1882, the presbytery consisting of S. H. 
Thompson and R. J. Stewart. During his ministerial life he 
served several churches in St. Helena Parish, La., and Amite 
County, Miss. Pie was blessed in the work, baptizing many 
people, and building up several churches. At the time of his 
death he was moderator of the Mississippi River Association, 
and he presided with ease and dignity. His death was an. 
occasion of great sadness in Gillsburg. Just after a parting 
with his family, and a few minutes before he died, he said to 
several who stood around the bed, 'Now, brethren, if you want 
to see a Christian die, stand by and look on.' 

"Brother Felder was a Knight of Honor. The funeral 
services of this good man were conducted by T. C. Schilling, 
assisted by R. J. Stewart." Mr. Felder died in the prime of 
manhood, universally beloved in his section of the State. His 
name is mentioned in the report on Obituaries in the minutes 
of the Baptist State Convention, in 1888, held in Jackson, 
Miss. 

Charles Felder. Of this excellent pioneer preacher 
the Baptist Encyclopedia, page 391, has this short 
notice: "Rev. Charles Felder, a pioneer preacher in Mis- 
sissippi and Louisiana, was born in 1783; began to preach in 
1809; came to Mississippi in 1819, and was an active co-la- 
borer with Cooper, Reeves, Courtney, and others, in South 
Mississippi; was often moderator of the Mississippi Associa- 
tion; died in 1843." 

From the minutes of the Mississippi Association of 
1843, the following is taken: "The committee appointed to 
orepare an obituary of Brother Felder reported as follows: 
Whereas, it has pleased an all-wise Providence to remove, 
since our last meeting, our beloved brother and moderator, 
C. Felder, who was in the sixtieth year of his age, and who 
has been thirty-four years a preacher; twenty-four years of 
that time he has lived in this Association. He was a sound, 



264 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

consistent, and able minister of the New Testament. As a 
pastor, he has been surpassed by none in our country; as an 
evangelist and revivalist, few exceeded him. His Christian 
deportment, and soundness in the faith, connected with his 
indefatigable labors for the extension of the Redeemer's king- 
dom, his making and preserving peace in the denomination 
and with all men, have embalmed his memory with undying 
esteem. Resolved, therefore, that, while we submit to the 
dispensation of Providence, we deeply sympathize with his 
afflicted family, and mourn our own irreparable loss. Yet 
we rejoice to know that he died 'strong in the faith, giving 
glory to God.' " In the minutes of the same session of this 
association there is a tribute to the memory of Mr. Felder's 
wife. "In life they were lovely and pleasant, and in their death 
they were not long divided." 

H. A. Ferguson was born on November 7, 1838, in 
Alabama, lived on a farm and as soon as he was large enough 
went to work in the field. He went to school in summer and 
sometimes in winter, but helped to make a crop every year 
until he was grown. Consequently, as he says, his education 
is very limited. He made a profession of religion and joined 
the Missionary Baptist church at Liberty Grove (near where he 
was born) in 1858, and was baptized by Rev. J. J. Watts. He 
was married, in 1859, to Miss Keeton, who was a Baptist, is 
still, and is still living, and has been truly a help-meet for him. 
Eight children of this marriage are still living, one is dead, 
and all are Christians except the baby boy, eleven years of 
age. 

During the late war he volunteered and entered the service 
of the Confederacy in 1862. He served throughout and was 
paroled after the surrender of Lee and Johnston in April, 1865. 
He was in several hard-fought battles and feels confident that 
a protecting Providence was with him, for many of his com- 
rades fell in battle and he escaped without ever receiving a 
single wound. At the close of the war he returned home and 
found his wife and little children in destitute circumstances. 
He was very thankful to get home unhurt, and at once set him- 
self to the task of earning a support for his family. He had 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 265 

not learned to gamble during his soldier life, and so he had to 
go to work or suffer. 

In 1867, he was licensed to preach by Liberty Grove church 
(the church with which he first united). He moved to Mis- 
sissippi, Yallobusha County, in 1869, and settled within ten 
miles of Coffeeville. He met with a kind reception and was 
invited to preach at different places, school houses, etc. At 
one of these school houses he and others organized a church 
which was called Macedonia. This church requested his 
ordination and invited Revs. J. N. Acker, Tillman H. Smith, 
and Whitefield Dupuy to act as ordaining presbytery. They 
met in compliance with the request of the church and on Sep- 
tember 27th (presumably in 1869) ordained him to the full 
work of the ministry. He remained in this community until 
January, 1873, preaching at different places and was in some 
glorious meetings. In the summer of 1872 he received an in- 
vitation to go to the "Mississippi Bottom" to help in a meet- 
ing. He went and at the close of these services Enon Baptist 
church was constituted. In 1873 he moved to the swamp and 
rented land near this church. Rev. J. N. Acker was pastor of 
the church at this time, but Mr. Ferguson preached to them 
once each month and also had other appointments in the sur- 
rounding country. In 1876 he was invited to the pastorate 
of Enon church, and was the only Baptist preacher in a large 
section of country. On this account he often felt very lonely, 
but the Lord was with him and blessed his work. He often 
felt that the work on him was too great for him; but still he 
worked and prayed until 1891 when help came in the person 
of Rev. J. W. Collins. He at once resigned and Mr. Collins 
was called to the pastorate of Enon church. Mr. Ferguson 
is not now pastor of any church, but says : "I am still trying to 
serve God the best I can." 

J. R. Ferguson. The following note of this good 
man occurs in the writer's History of Louisville Association, 
written in 1883: "J. R. Ferguson, a native of Alabama, was 
raised, principally, in Mississippi. His parents were pious, his 
mother deeply devout. In early life he was the subject of 
religious impressions, but did not make a profession of religion 
until sixteen years of age. At that age he was baptized into 



266 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Shiloh church. Very soon he was impressed with the duty of 
preaching but hid it in his own heart for a long time. At 
length the power of conviction revealed itself and he was 
licensed by Shiloh church in 1876 and ordained at Oak Grove 
in 1882 by Revs. J. W. Sims and L. S. Foster. His devout 
spirit and unmistakable piety make him a choice laborer, al- 
though quite deficient in educational attainments." Mr. Fer- 
guson still lives in the same section of the State in which he 
was ordained twelve years ago and is the same pious, humble 
minister of Jesus Christ. He is most highly esteemed by all 
and by no one more than by the writer of these pages. 

H. L. Fin lay, an active and energetic minister of North 
Mississippi, is now between sixty and seventy years of age. 
For quite a while he was missionary and colporteur in Tippah 
Association. Of him Rev. J. H. Shackleford wrote, in 1893; 
"It was our misfortune this year to lose the labors of our 
former missionary, Rev. H. L. Finley, who has done us faithful 
service for five years past. In the eastern part of the Associa- 
tion, Brother Finley did much faithful work in clearing up 
the roots of error, and sowing the seeds of truth; seeds that 
have been received into the heart; that have germinated and 
brought forth fruit to the glory of God." Mr. Finley is a 
good and true and consecrated man. He moved to Texas 
in 1893. 

J. L. Finlay was born in Madison County, Miss., Nov. 26, 
1845. He enlisted in the Eighteenth Regiment Mississippi 
Volunteers in 1861. He went through the greater part of the 
war, and lost his right arm in the battle of the Wilderness in 
May, 1864. After the close of the strife he was elected County 
Treasurer in his county. He began reading law in the office 
of Judge S. S. Calhoun, of Canton. He was baptized into the 
fellowship of Canton church by Rev. D. E. Burns, then pastor. 
He soon moved to Faunin, Rankin County, and finished read- 
ing law under ex-Gov. Lowery, of Brandon. He had been 
feeling convictions of a call to preach, but these being stoutly 
resisted his life became one of recklessness. During his resid- 
ence in Faunin he was awakened from his life of rebellion by 
hearing a sermon on baptism by a Methodist minister. This 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 267 

sermon resulted in an active effort on his part in securing the 
services of Rev. M. T. Martin as pastor of Finnim church. 
. Mr. Martin was the chief instrument in bringing about his 
reclamation from a life of disobedience. He was received into 
Faunin church by letter from Canton church and was licensed 
to prea'ch. 

In November, 1882, he was married to Miss Linda W. 
Robinson, of Fauin. In March, 1883, he moved to Williams- 
burg, Covington County, where he began the practice of law. 
The church called him to ordination in June, 1886. In his 
ordination Rev. J. N. Walker conducted the examination. 
Rev. W. H. Dixon presented the Bible, Rev. G. M. Webster of- 
fered the prayer of ordination. The charge was delivered by 
Rev. J. N. Walker, pastor. At the meeting of the Pearl Leaf 
Association, September, 1886, he was elected as moderator, 
and presided as moderator until 1889. Soon he became pastor 
of his home church at Williamsburg and is still in that pastor- 
ate. He has served Victory, Liberty, Leaf River, New Hope, 
Goodwater and Concord churches in Pearl Leaf Association; 
Mount Zion, Salem and Concord in Strong River Association ; 
and Silver Creek in Pearl River Association. At present 
(1894) he is pastor of Williamsburg and Goodwater churches 
in Pearl Leaf Association, Mount Zion and Concord in Strong 
River Association, and Silver Creek in Pearl River Associa- 
tion. Last year he thinks was the most prosperous in his 
whole ministerial work, the results appear in the Convention 
Board's Report of work done by missionaries, for Mr. Finley 
has been in the employ of the Convention Board since his 
ministerial life began. He is a good man and an earnest con- 
secrated minister of Jesus Christ. 

W. M. Flannagan was born in Franklin County, Ga., 
Aug. 23, 1813, and was aged eighty years ten months and 
eight days. Fie spent a long life of usefulness as a citizen, 
husband, father and Christian minister. He served his coun- 
try as a soldier in the Indian war of 1832. Was married to 
Miss L. J. Canady, of Georgia, in 1838 ; with whom he raised 
fourteen children, all professed religion in early life. He was 
baptized by Rev. Obadiah Eckels, 1840, into the fellowship of 
Auburn Baptist church, Alabama, and soon after was made a 
deacon; which office he filled with Christly zeal until he was 



268 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



^ 



^r^^^ 



ordained to the full work of the ministry by Rev. J. P. Johns- 
ton, at Alt. Nebo, Miss., in 1870. He was left a widower in 
1875. and was afterwards married, the second time, to Mrs. M. 
J. McMillan, who survives him. After bearing his suffering 
for a number of days with great patience, telling his friends 
and loved ones who were standing around him not to grieve 
for him, for he was going to the better world, he fell on sleep. 
He died at Milton, Miss., July 12, 1894.— Pastor. 

O. D. Fitzgerald. 

This faithful minister 
of the gospel was born 
in Nelson county, Va., Feb. 
22, 1812. His early edu- 
cational advantages were 
limited. While very young- 
he was impressed with the 
idea of being helpful to 
those with whom he was 
surrounded. 

Knowing that "knowl- 
edge is power," he went to 
work to gain an education. 
He used every means in his 
power to accomplish this 
one great purpose, and his 
labors were not in vain. 
O. D. FITZGERALD. He was married to 

Miss Martha Walne in 183G. They raised a family of twelve 
children. In 1840 he came to West Tennessee. In 1847 he 
professed Christianity, joined the Baptist church at Oak 
Grove, near Jackson, Tenn. He was baptized by Rev. George 
Day. A short time afterward the church licensed him to 
preach, and during this same year he was ordained to the full 
work of the gospel ministry. In 1853, he came to Kossuth, 
Mississippi, and at that time his was the only Baptist family in 
all that country. In 1855 the board of the old Chickasaw 
Association sent Rev. M. P. Lowrey to preach at Kossuth, 
and through their labors a small church was organized (which 
is still flourishing). Most of his ministerial labor was done in 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 269 

North Mississippi. Many churches were organized through 
his efforts, notably among them are Shiloh, Bruch Creek, and 
Glendale, all of which are in the Tishomingo Association. In 
1862 (during the late war) he joined the Confederate army, 
enlisting as a private, but was soon elected chaplain of the 
Thirty-second Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers, under Gen. 
M. P. Lowrey. He served in this capacity until 1864, when 
his health having given way, he resigned and came home. He 
removed from Kossuth to Rienzi, Miss., in 1868, where he 
lived until his death. In 1875, when the terrible storm swept 
away that town, he received an injury from which he never 
fully recovered. He gently fell asleep in Jesus, Dec. 28, 1882, 
at his home. "Blessed are the dead in Christ, for their worW) 
do follow them." — Contributed by Mrs. F. Fitzgerald, Conn. 

W. J. Fortinbery, the subject of this sketch, was born 
in Pike County, Miss., Nov. 28, 1829. He was baptized into 
the fellowship of New Zion church in August, 1851, by Rev. 
Calvin Magee. By the same minister he was married, in 
October, 1853, to Miss Louisa Blackwell. He was licensed 
to preach by New Zion church, August 17, 1861. He was 
ordained August 16, 1863, to the full work of the gospel min- 
istry by order of New Zion church, Revs. B. A. Crawford, J. E. 
Pounds, J. C. Seal and I. N. Pigott constituting the presbytery. 
Immediately after his ordination he was called to the pastorate 
of New Zion church, which pastorate he has filled for a'terr n , 
of thirty-one consecutive years and which he still fills. 1ms 
addition to the pastorate of New Zion church he has all these 
years had the pastoral care of three other churches in the 
vicinity, preaching to one for a number of years and then 
changing to another as circumstances directed. During his 
ministerial life he has been instrumental in constituting three 
churches. He has baptized about thirteen hundred persons, 
has assisted in the ordination of twelve ministers and a large 
number of deacons. His opportunities for obtaining an edu- 
cation have been very limited. His entire time in school was 
about a year. 

He writes : "I have all along run a farm in connection with 
my calling, and this, with the small pittance that I received 
from my churches, has been my means of support for myself 



270 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

and family. I have often come home from my appointments, 
tired and weary, late Sunday afternoon, perhaps into the night; 
and have been obliged to go early Monday morning to the 
field with a hoe or between the plow-handles. I have tried 
to preach the plain untarnished truth as revealed in the Di- 
vine Word and trust to it for doing the work, I now feel as 
great a desire to proclaim the truth to sinners as I ever did. 
In November, 1880, I was elected moderator of Magee's 
Creek Association, which office I have held ever since." God 
bless all those noble, self-sacrificing men who have worked 
all the week and gone out and preached on Sunday. Air. 
Fortinbery's address now is Tylertown, Miss. 

J. C. Foster. Of this excellent and useful minister of 
Jesus Christ no definite data has been obtained. He has 
lived so long in Mississippi and labored so faithfully among 
the Baptist churches that the history of the denomination 
would be incomplete without the insertion of his name. He 
now (1894) lives at Harperville and must be somewhere in 
the neighborhood of his seventieth year. When the writer 
first met him, some twenty years since, he lived in the eastern 
part of the State, in the vicinity of Meridian, possibly at Mos- 
cow. In 18S0 and 1881 he lived at DeKalb, Kemper county, 
and did a gret deal of traveling and preaching to neighbor- 
ing country churches. He was engaged in a great many re- 
vival meetings and was always greatly blessed in such work. 
In 1S82 he moved to Meridian where he lived until 1885. At 
that time he moved to the vicinity of Kosciusko, Attala 
County. Here he was actively engaged in the pastorate of 
neighboring churches, greatly esteemed for his works' sake. 
He removed to Edinburg. Leake County, 1888, and entered 
upon the pastorate there and with neighboring churches. In 
1891 he moved to Harperville where he now fives. He is a 
very pleasing and attractive preacher. His sermons, while 
they abound in illustrations, are always instructive. Some- 
times, when in a revival meeting and fully in the spirit of 
preaching, he is really eloquent and impassioned; but usually 
his style is argumentative and instructive rather than impas- 
sioned. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 271 

L. S. Foster. Was born in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., 
December 18, 1847, and in 1864 entered the University of that 
State. He was, to use his own language, at that time a wild 
dissipated boy. His father, however, having previously moved 
to Starkville, Miss., in view of the unsettled condition of the 
country was constrained to remove him from the University 
which terminated his college course. In Starkville he was 
brought under the ministry of that devout and zealous pastor, 
Rev. T. G. Sellers (whose praise is in all the churches), and in 
the year 1865 professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and was 
baptized into the fellowship of the Starkville church. 

"He was at once impressed with a sense of duty to preach 
the gospel, but hid it in his own heart for a season, until a great 
affliction led him to take up the cross and confess to the church 
his impressions, when he was duly licensed. He entered the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Greenville, S. C, 
to prepare the better for his responsible office, in 1868, where 
he remained until 1870, when he was married to Miss Fannie 
Merrick, of that city. This act, sacred as it is, and delicate as 
the duty may seem, the writer thinks was premature, though 
so often done by our young students. It should be impressed 
upon our young men, especially those preparing for the min- 
istry, that they should defer so important a matter until proper 
preparation has been made for the leading purpose of life. In 
January, 1871, he was ordained to the ministry in the Stark- 
ville Baptist church, the presbytery being Revs. T. G. Sellers, 
W. S. Webb, J. H. Cason, J. B. Gambrell, and W. F. Spragins. 
Mr. Foster, though he suspended his studies for three 
years, again returned to the Seminary in 1873, where he re- 
mained until he completed the full course of study, graduating 
in 1875, with honor. He again returned to Mississippi and 
after varied fortunes, amongst which was the loss of his wife, 
leaving him with two children, also pastorates at Okolona, 
Miss., and Camden, S. C, and several terms as teacher in a 
male high school, at Starkville, he became field-editor for 
Mississippi, of the "Western Recorder," of Louisville, Ky., 
Eld. A. C. Caperton, D. D., editor, another honored son of 
Mississippi. In August, 1890, he was married the second 
time, Mrs. Kate G. Rains, a lady of fine sense, living near 
Okolona, Miss., becoming his wife, who proves, according to 



272 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the New Version of the Testament, a 'help worthy of him' 
(I like that word in preference to the unmeaning and oft-mis- 
understood word, 'meet'). In 1881, while the "Baptist Rec- 
ord," of Mississippi, was hesitating as to who would be editor, 
after the temporary retirement of its distinguished editor, Dr. J. 
B. Gambrell, the unanimous sentiment of the Columbus was 
that Brother Foster should succeed him and his name was 
hoisted until Brother Gambrell was re-seated in charge, where 
he had worked so long and deserved so well. — J. T. Freeman. 
Cathcart says, "As a writer he has contributed a number 
of valuable articles to the "Recorder", and has also published 
an able sermon on "Truth Developed by Conflict." In 1879 
he accepted an invitation to the pastorate of the Louisville 
Baptist church, Winston County. He remained pastor of this 
church for five years, giving a portion of his time to neighbor- 
ing country churches. In 1881, by request of the body,' he 
prepared and published a history of the Columbus Baptist 
Association, a small book of 132 pages. In 1882, while clerk 
of the Louisville Association, a resolution was passed request- 
ing him to prepare and publish a history of that body. This 
work covers the History of the Louisville Association from 
1810 to 1882 and was published in the '"Baptist Record" office 
in 188(3. It contains 58 large octavo pages. In 1884 he be- 
came pastor of the churches of Fellowship and Rodney, Jeffer- 
son County. Fellowship is in the "Natchez country" only a 
few miles from the site of Salem church, the first Baptist church 
in Mississippi, and at that time had in its membership a number 
of the descendants of the members of the old Salem church. 
Rodney church is located in the village of Rodney, on the 
banks of the Mississippi river. It is twelve miles from Fellow- 
ship, and the two churches jointly own a pastor's home at 
Fellowship, and have a pastor to divide his time equally be- 
tween the two churches. In January, 1886, at the request of 
Rev. J. B. Gambrell, he removed to Clinton, bought an inter- 
est in the "Baptist Record," and became associated with him 
in the business and editorial work of the paper. The paper 
was moved to Jackson in a few weeks and early in February, 
1886, the office and outfit were totally destroyed by fire and 
the proprietors had no insurance. It required much time to 
recover from the financial losses of this fire and finding that 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 273 

the income of the paper was too seriously burdened for the 
support of two editors he retired from the paper entirely, leav- 
ing it to the sole management of Dr. Gambrell, and again en- 
tered the pastorate. On January 1st, 1887, he became pastor 
of the Carrollton church, Carrollton, Miss., and also of the 
Winona church. At the close of the year, however, he re- 
signed the pastorate of the Winona church. For nearly six 
years one-half of his time was given to the Carrollton church 
and the other half was given to neighboring country churches 
— one year to Pleasant Prospect, three years to Bethel, three 
years to Coila, one year to Mount Vernon and one year to 
Leona, Sunflower County. The church at Carrollton was 
much discouraged and much in debt in the beginning of his 
pastorate. But in the course of time the debts were all paid, 
the church got upon a better basis, a pastor's home was 
bought, paid for and repaired and repainted. During this time 
a large female college building in Carrollton was secured to a 
Baptist administration and placed in charge of Dr. Z. T. 
Leavell, and entered upon a new career of educational work. 
In the spring of 1892 Mr. Foster resigned the pastorate of the 
Carrollton church and on May 1, 1892, entered upon the pas- 
torate of the Senatobia church to which he had been invited. 
In this pastorate he still remains, October, 1894. He trusts 
that during this pastorate some good has been accomplished 
in the name of the Master. He has here in the church some 
warm friends and loyal co-laborers in this great work of the 
Lord. In November, 1893, he became associated with Dr. J. 
A. Hackett in the editorial work of the "Baptist Record," and, 
besides his pastoral duties, has in every issue since that time 
kept up a department known as the "Field Glass," besides con- 
tributing from time to time editorials on different topics. 

During his ministry he has led in the organization of 
three churches, one at Cumberland, Webster County; one 
known as Oak Grove in the southern part of Winston County; 
and one known as Sim's Chapel, in Claiborn County, four 
miles north of old Fellowship, in Jefferson County. He has 
assisted in the ordination of seven ministers — Rev. B. N. 
Hatch, of Summit, State Sunday-School Evangelist; Rev. P. 
T. Hale, pastor of one of the churches in Birmingham, Ala.; 
Rev. Fred D. Hale, pastor at Owensboro, Ky.; Rev. J. R. Fer- 



274 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

guson, Winston County, Miss.; Rev. A. C. Watkin, missionary 
of the Southern Baptist Convention in Muzquiz, Mexico ; Rev. 
D. D. Loden, of Carroll County; and Rev. G. C. Johnston, 
of Montgomery County. In all of these ordinations, save 
one, he conducted the examination of the candidates on Chris- 
tian doctrine. He has been for a number of years the Mis- 
sissippi correspondent of "The Examiner," N. Y., and is reg- 
ular contributor to a number of other Baptist papers. He is 
rather disposed towards that malady which is known as the 
cacoethes scribendi, which though quite troublesome at times 
rarely ever proves fatal. Many of his friends have been kind 
enough to say that they enjoy reading what he publishes in 
the papers. Historical matters, especially those relating to 
Baptist history, have a peculiar fascination for him, and he 
was one of the leading spirits in the organization of the Mis- 
sissippi Baptist Historical Society, in Jackson, in July, 1888, 
and has been the corresponding secretary of the Society from 
its organization. This Society now has in its library a quantity 
of valuable material relative to the history of Mississippi 
Baptists, and will no doubt soon appoint some one to prepare 
a history of the denomination in the State — a work very much 
needed to be done as much valuable material is being lost every 
year it is deferred. 

William L. Foster. This highly esteemed and able min- 
ister of Jesus Christ was born in Tuscaloosa county, some 
time between 1823 and 1826. He was born of pious parents. 
His father was a wealthy planter living on the Warrior river, 
and gave his sons the advantage of a thorough education in 
the neighborhood schools and in the University of Alabama. 
Mr. Foster received a complete literary course in the Uni- 
versity, graduating with distinction. Very soon after his con- 
version he felt called to the ministry, and began preaching by 
the sanction of Grant's Creek church, Tuscaloosa county, 
Ala. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry about 
1852. He went to Southwestern Texas in 1852 and spent two 
or three years in the vicinity of San Antonio. He often 
preached in the community in which he was stopping, and 
his preaching was highly acceptable to his hearers and often 
he would have the pleasure of leading a believing penitent 
down into the water to bury him with Christ in baptism. In 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 275 

1856 he returned to the old neighborhood in Tuscaloosa 
county, Ala. In 1856 or 1857 he was married to Miss Mil- 
dred Maxwell and very soon moved to what is now Clay 
county and settled at Silvain, a county village four or five 
miles west of West Point. He immediately accepted the pas- 
torate of Siloam, Mayhew Prairie and other adjacent churches, 
having also school-house appointments. It was a settled 
principle with him never to disappoint a congregation, and 
often he came to his Mayhew Prairie people when he would 
be compelled to swim a large swollen creek to reach them. 
They soon learned to always expect him regardless of weather 
or swollen streams. He was a man of great amiability and per- 
sonal magnetism. All children were attracted to him and 
the members of his churches were passionately devoted to him. 
His life was irreproachable and was a benediction to all with 
whom he came in contact. He was in the Confederate service 
from the beginning to the close of the war, and was abundant 
in labors in preaching to the soldiers. They all held him in 
the very highest esteem and reverence and his influence over 
them was very fine. After the close of hostilities he returned 
to his home at Siloam and resumed his pastoral work with the 
Siloam and Mayhew Prairie churches and other neighboring 
churches. He continued in this pastorate until the fall of 
1866, when he resigned in order to accept the Professorship of 
Mathematics in Waco University, Waco, Texas. In this po- 
sition he continued only a short time. Leaving Waco he set- 
tled in Fannin county, Texas, and died triumphantly at his 
home in this county, near Ladonia, in 1868. He died com- 
paratively a young man, being but little past forty, but died 
universally respected and lamented. "He lives long who lives 
well." 

Some of the most pleasant recollections of the writer's boy- 
hood days are associated with William L. Foster, "Cousin Bil- 
lie," as he was familiarly called, who was always an esteemed 
and welcome visitor in his father's home. His private talks 
about the Bible were fascinating and profitable. 

T. J. Fowler. Our source of information relative to this 
esteemed minister is Cathcart, from whose Encyclopaedia, 
page 409, the following is taken: "Rev. T. J. Fowler, a 



276 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

prominent young preacher in Attala county, is a native of 
Georgia, where he was born in 1849. Having removed to 
Alabama, he became a Baptist shortly after. He began to 
preach in 1875, and was ordained the year following. He be- 
came pastor of New Bethel, Fayette county, Ala., where he 
continued until he removed to Mississippi in 1877. He set- 
tled in Pontotoc county and became pastor of Mount Moriah 
and Hosea churches in that county. He remained with these 
churches one year, then removed to Attala county, where he 
took charge of Providence church, of which he is still pastor, 
with a prospect of great good." Thirteen years have passed 
since that was written. Mr. Fowler is still in the same portion 
of Attala county. His present address is McCool, on the 
Canton, Aberdeen and Nashville division of the I. C. railway. 

James F. Fox. The following is contributed by an inti- 
mate friend and ministerial associate of this venerable man of 
God: The subject of this sketch, the son of Henry Fox, was 
born in Richland district, S. C., in 1814. He moved with his 
parents to East Tennessee in 1815 ; and thence to Tuscaloosa 
county, Ala., in 1821. He was married to Miss Delilah Baker 
while in Alabama. He professed faith in Christ and united 
with a Baptist church in 1832; and moved to Choctaw 
county, Mississippi, in 183G, settling near the point where the 
town of State Springs, Calhoun county, now stands. The 
remainder of his life was spent here until he laid down his 
armor in September, 1883. As a lay member of the church 
he was pious, energetic and useful. In the year 1850 he was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry by the Bethany Bap- 
tist church, of which he was pastor the whole of his minister- 
ial life of thirty-five years under one call; and of Bethel 
church in an adjoining neighborhood for twenty-five years. 
The two other Sabbaths were given to other churches within 
his reach. He was indeed "a living epistle known and read 
of all men," not only preaching Christ, but living Christ. His 
sound judgment and great knowledge of men and things, was 
of such high character as to cause him to be consulted on all 
important subjects. Though he had very limited opportuni- 
ties for securing an education, yet his thirst for knowledge was 
such that he made good use of such as fell in his way. Being 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 277 

a close, student of the Bible and of religious literature he soon 
laid the foundations for a useful and successful minister of the 
gospel. His pulpit power and eloquence won for him the 
praise of all who knew him. I feel safe in saying that seventy- 
five per cent of the people living in his field of labor are Bap- 
tists. The seed he sowed were genuine gospel seed which * 
took hold upon the people, germinated and materialized into 
a great harvest. His affability, his plainness, his sympathy, 
his humility, his earnestness and his great desire to help fal- 
len humanity to a better life, has indelibly stamped his mem- 
ory on the minds of all with whom he came in contact. 

About three years before his death he, on account of fail- 
ing strength and health, resigned his churches, and with his 
wife visited his children in Texas. Returning at the end of 
two years he settled in State Springs, where he had labored all 
his ministerial life, preaching occasionally as his health would 
permit. But very soon he was prostrated upon a bed of 
death. His neighbors vied with each other in waiting upon 
him and making him comfortable. He bore his afflictions 
with Christian fortitude, frequently telling those around: "I 
am just waiting the Lord's time." Thus this faithful servant 
of God, in the presence of one son and daughter and numer- 
ous kindred and friends, passed from us to his sweet home be- 
yond. 

The writer of this imperfect sketch stood over his cold 
remains and with a heavy and sad heart offered some words 
of comfort to the weeping friends and the heart-broken widow, 
who joined him a few months ago "in the sweet bye and bye." 

Charles B. Freeman was boitn in! Macon, Noxubee 
county, Miss., on the seventeenth day of August, 1849. His 
father's name was Thomas Stewart Freeman, who was born 
and rdared in Kentucky, and whose occupation was that of a 
mechanic. His father's mother was sister to the mother of 
Chief Justice Miller, of Kentucky. His mother was born and 
lived to the age of eighteen years in Brooklyn, N. Y., when 
she, with her parents, came to Brooksville, Miss. From her, 
more than from any one else, he took his disposition, always 
patient, kind and gentle. FTe was converted to the Christian 
religion under the preaching of Rev. Mr. Bancroft, a minister 



278 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

of the M. E. Church, South, and united with that church in 
June, 1805 ; and began to study for the ministry at Summer- 
field, Ala., on the third of November, 1869. After studying 
the Methodist doctrine for awhile, he soon realized that he 
could not, conscientiously, remain in that church; so in the 
summer of 1S70, he joined the missionary Baptist church in 
Macon, Miss., and was buried in baptism in the Noxubee river 
by Rev. H. J. Vanlandinghan. Was licensed to preach in 
August, 1870, and entered Mississippi College in the fall of 
the same year, where he continued till 1875, when he gradu- 
ated in the full course. The names of those graduating with 
him were: J. W. Sanford, W. E. Berry, T. N. Rhymes, A. J. 
Miller, C. W. Webb and A. H. Longino. He was ordained to 
the work of the gospel ministry in Verona, Miss., August 
1st, 1875, Revs. J. T. Freeman and Elijah Moore constituting 
the presbytery. On November 17th, 1875, he was married to 
Miss Kate Miller, of Hazlehurst, Miss. Dr. J. A. Hackett per- 
formed the marriage ceremony. He began his first pastorate 
in Louisiana in 1870, serving the Bastrop and Oak Ridge 
churches, where he remained fifteen months. During that 
time he was elected to the presidency of Concord Institute, lo- 
cated at Shiloh, La., to which place he removed in Septem- 
ber, 1877. This position he kept till 1882. While doing ard- 
uous work in the school, he also served the following churches: 
Vienna, Farmersville and Camp Creek, and was devoted in 
his love for these charges. His association with Rev. J. P. 
Everett, of Shiloh, was helpful to him all through life, to which 
he so often privately and publicly testified. In the fall of 1882, 
he was employed by the State Board of Louisiana, as mission- 
ary to the Alexandria and Pineville district. He labored in this 
field for about nineteen months, sowing seed from which oth- 
ers, afterwards, reaped a bountiful harvest. He was a great 
lover of the Sunday school work, and did much throughout 
the State to build up the Sunday school and to set it in a 
proper light before the people. Failing health caused him to 
give up the work in Alexandria and Pineville, and in 1884, he 
left that field and moved to Steens Creek, Miss., where he es- 
tablished the Steens Creek High School, which he conducted 
for about five years. During those years he preached for 
Mountain Creek church and HarrisvTlle church. The sixth 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 279 

and last year of his stay there, he served the Steerrs Creek 
church two Sundays in the month. At the end of this time 
his health had failed so completely that physicians advised him 
to give up all work and go to some watering place. He then 
sold his home and, with his family, went to Eureka Springs, 
x\rk., in September, 1890. This was the home of the great evan- 
gelist, Major W. E. Penn, and his association with the great 
divine was a sweet remembrance in all the after months of his 
life. 

After remaining there a year, and feeling his health so much 
restored he longed for work again; so in September, 1891, at 
the earnest request of the board of trustees, he accepted the 
presidency of Kavanaugh College, Holmesville, Miss. He had 
not served in this capacity but a few months, however, when 
his health suddenly broke down, Feb. 10, 1892. During all 
his severe sickness, which lasted four months, he was ever 
ready and anxious to speak of his strong faith in God, and 
most heartily could he say, "Though he slay me, yet will I 
trust him." He died June 11, 1892, aged forty-two years ten 
months and six days. One of the grandest legacies ever left 
to a family was the pure Christian life he had lived. 

William C. Friley was born in Mississippi in 1845. He 
received his education in Mississippi College, taking a full 
course and graduating in 1871. He was soon ordained to 
the full work of the gospel ministry, and accepted the pastor- 
ate of the Yazoo City church. He continued in this pastor- 
ate three years. Resigning the care of this church, he left- 
Mississippi, and, in 1876, became pastor of the church at Tren- 
ton, La. The year after his settlement at Trenton he organ- 
ized a church on the opposite side of the Ouachita river, at 
Monroe. For a term of years he was pastor of both of these 
churches. They enjoyed a large measure of prosperity un- 
der his ministration. They gave him up with great reluctance 
when he tendered his resignation in order to engage in the 
evangelistic work in the employ of the State Board. In this 
evangelistic work his labors were greatly blessed and he was 
eminently successful. In 1880 he became corresponding sec- 
retary of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention, as well as 
general evangelist. In this capacity he accomplished a good 



280 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

work. Later he moved to Texas and became pastor of the 
church at Abilene. He is now (1894) engaged in his pastoral 
work at that place. 

J. T. Freeman. The fol- 
lowing sketch of J. T. Free- 
man was published, in 
1881, in the History of Co- 
lumbus Association, p. 125: 
"J. T. Freeman was born in 
Lunenburg county, Va., 
August 17, 1820, received 
an academic course in his 
native county preparatory 
to a course in Randolph 
Macon College, but moved 
to Murray County, Tenn., 
and spent some years in 
Jackson College, of Co- 
lumbia. After marriage 
in North Alabama, to Miss 
S. A. McMillan, of Leigh- 
ton, Ala., a cousin of Prof. 
J. T. FREEMAN. Geo. W. Jarman, of the 

Southwestern Baptist University, Jackson, Tenn., he moved 
to Starkville in 1847, at the age of twenty-five. There he ed- 
ited the Starkville Whig and studied law. While endeavoring 
to be an infidel he made a profession of religion, having been 
brought under the influence of a gracious revival under the 
preaching of Revs. McCloud and Tichenor, united with the 
Starkville Baptist church and was baptized by the former of 
these ministers. Very soon feeling a burning desire to preach 
the glorious gospel of the blessed God, he was licensed and 
ordained by his church and was its pastor for some years. In 
1857 he became editor of the Mississippi Baptist and through 
this medium wielded a large influence in the denomination un- 
til his enterprise went down amidst the wrecks of so many 
blighted hopes and broken fortunes during the war. For a 
number of years after this he was pastor at Corinth, from 1866 
until 1878. In that year he lost his wife and some time after- 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 281 

wards was married to Mrs. Sallie Graves, a most highly es- 
teemed and zealous worker in the Starkville church. At dif- 
ferent times he has rilled several quite important pastorates in 
the State, such as Kosciusko, Corinth, Tupelo, West Point, 
Sharon and Starkville, where he is now the honored bishop. 
For several years, before and since the war, he has been pres- 
ident of the Baptist State Convention. For a considerable 
time he was corresponding editor of The Baptist, during 
which he wrote a series of articles styled, Peleg, or America in 
Genesis, which attracted much attention. A sermon on the In- 
termediate State of the Dead, published by him, at the request 
of the Corinth church, in 1867, elicited great attention and 
widespread discussion. A newspaper discussion between him 
and Dr. J. M. Pendleton on this question culminated quite 
sharply, but finally subsided into renewed friendship between 
these two compeers of the Baptist press. On the Atonement 
and Difference Between Revelation and Inspiration, Dr. Free- 
man has also published articles of interest. He is a bold and 
independent thinker, and never measures the size nor counts 
the number of his opponents when he choses to utter his senti- 
ments." The remarkable series of articles by Dr. Freeman, 
mentioned above, on "Peleg, or America in Genesis," which 
attracted such widespread attention at the time of their appear- 
ance, were often requested for publication in book form, but 
he is so careless of posthumous fame that he has neglected to 
do so. He once said to the writer, "When I was young I was 
greatly afflicted with the mania for writing, but now, as I am 
older, I am recovering from it." Dr. Freeman is one of the 
most fluent speakers the writer ever heard. His language, in 
choice and elegant English, seems to fall spontaneously from 
his lips. But this very gift has been to some extent a snare 
to him; for depending upon his facility and gracefulness of 
diction he has, somewhat, in his later years, neglected accurate 
and logical thinking. At least, so it has seemed to some ol 
his warmest personal friends and admirers. All, however, are 
pleased and profited by his charming discourses, and one who 
once enjoyed his pastorate bears cheerful testimony to the 
helpfulness of his pulpit ministrations. 

Dr. Freeman was a most excellent pastor. None of his 
members were ever neglected, but all shared in his visitation 



282 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

and pastoral attentions, especially the poor of his flock. He 
was ever a welcome visitor in the homes of the rich and poor 
alike. During the past decade he, with his family, has been 
living in his country home, three miles from Starkville, and 
giving his pulpit services to churches along the line of the 
Canton, Aberdeen and Nashville division of the I. C. rail- 
way, and contiguous to Starkville. In almost all of his pas- 
torates his salary is partly paid by the convention board as 
missionary pastor. His life has been spent in a variety of de- 
partments of labor for the Lord, and he is still (1894) engaged 
in service for the Master. May the Divine hand lead him 
gently down life's declivity and sustain him in every hour of 
need. 

J. D. Fulton. The subject of this sketch was born in 
Winston county, Miss., July 27, 1866. He took an A. B. 
course in college, except the two branches of trigonometry 
and chemistry. He educated himself before he became a 
member of the church, and began his work in life as a school 
teacher. After he united with a Baptist church and began 
preaching, he carried on his work of'teaching in connection 
with his work in the ministry until this year (1894). He is 
now giving his entire time to pastoral work, serving five 
churches, Sturges, on the C. A. and N. division of the I. C. 
railway, and four others in the country. He was licensed to 
preach in 1889, by Harmony church, on the day of his bap- 
tism in April, and was ordained in September, 1889, by a pres- 
bytery consisting of the following ministers: W. T Carroll, 
R. A. Breckinridge, J. M. Ferguson. Since his ordination he 
has baptized one hundred and fifteen persons, being an aver- 
age of forty each year of his ministry except the present year, 
and thirty-three for it. 

A. J. Gaines' ancestors came from England to South Car- 
olina in colonial times, and his father's family emigrated to 
the State of Mississippi in 1844. In 1846 his father died, leav- 
ing him an infant, the youngest of seven children. His 
mother, who was a devout woman and always anxious about 
the welfare of her children, sent him to the country schools, 
and trained him in the way he should go. At a very early age 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 283 

he manifested a great desire for books, especially history. 
Strange as it may seem, he was impressed while very young 
that he at some time would have to preach the gospel. In 
1861, while yet very young, he joined the Confederate army, 
and at the battle of Lookout Mountain, in 1863, was captured, 
taken to Rock Island, and remained there until the close of 
the war, when he was exchanged. He made a vow on one of 
the bloody fields of battle that if the Lord would spare his life 
he would serve him the balance of his days. He thinks the 
Lord heard him, and he also believes the prayers of his now 
sainted mother were ascending to the throne of grace in his 
behalf. That vow was paid. On the night of the 4th of Sep- 
tember, 1866, he was born from above. He was baptized into 
the fellowship of Spring Creek church, Marshall county, Mis- 
sissippi, by Rev. William Runnells. He was licensed to preach 
in 1875, and ordained to the full work of the ministry in 
1878. 

In the beginning of his ministry he carried a cross; such 
a one as he thought no other man ever carried. He was a 
dreadful stammerer. Like Moses of old he wanted the Lord to 
excuse him, but the Lord would not do so. One favor then 
he asked of the Lord, and that was to unloose his tongue 
while preaching, and strange as it may seem, his tongue has 
been untied from that day to this. He has preached to coun- 
try churches in the Chickasaw Association, though he has 
preached in other associations and other States. His style is 
the solemn and impresses his hearers that he is in earnest. He 
has great zeal for missions and great faith in God. He is a 
Bible Baptist and is not afraid for the world to know what he 
believes. He has been a close student all his life, and is well 
posted in history, ancient and modern ; is fond of the classics, 
but the Bible is his great book. His field is enlarging and 
his great life work seems to have just begun. He is a good 
man and a useful and active minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Elbert C. Gates was born in Franklin county, Miss., 
August 7, 1859. He received his collegiate training in Mis- 
sissippi College. After completing his studies in college he 
entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and spent 
the two sessions of 1879 to 1881 in Biblical studies, graduat- 



284 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ing in the most of the English branches. He was ordained at 
a church in Franklin county, Miss., in 1875. He was after- 
wards pastor of churches in Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky 
and Texas for several years. His power as a pulpit orator at- 
tracted the attention of his brethren, and he was chosen as 
corresponding secretary of the State Board of Missions of 
Tennessee. In this work he was eminently successful, organ- 
izing the work and securing the widespread co-operation of 
the churches. Failing health compelled him to relinquish his 
work. He went to San Antonio, Southwestern Texas, in 
the hope of gaining respite from the fell disease, consumption, 
but without any permanent benefit. He yielded to its power 
and fell asleep in Jesus November 1, 1888. greatly esteemed 
and much lamented. 

"Just as we had got to press last week the news came ot 
the death of dear Brother Gates. Every heart in the Record 
office that knew him seemed to stand still. What? Is the 
loved, the gifted, the manly, the magnificent Gates fallen? We 
could only say, 'God did it and we must hold our peace.' 
Shall we ever see his like again? God does not often give such 
men to any people — not more than one in a generation, or 
even a century. And then perhaps as much as anything to 
show us what he can do, and perchance divinely to suggest in 
earthly surroundings the glorious possibilities of what man is 
yet to be. We need not ask who is to take his place, for no 
man of human mould can fill that place. Every man fills his 
own place, and none but God can provide for the empty place. 
Our brothers work on earth was done, and well done, and 
God has called him up to the higher spheres and into the 
higher service. We know not if earthly genius will be recog- 
nized and honored in heaven as on earth, but certain it is, 
that his life, though short, and much of it spent in physical 
pain, was abundant in good works and seasoned with self-de- 
nial and sacrifice. Who, if not our brother, shall go 'sweep- 
ing through the gates?' And who, if not he. will be greeted 
with the Master's 'welldone?' We learn that Brother Gates had 
just returned from San Antonio /Association where he had, with 
the assistance of others, and at great cost of effort, succeeded 
in adjusting some troub 1 esome matters. His dea*h occurred 
on the morning of November 1st, 1888. at 1 o'clock. He ex- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 285 

pressed himself as fully ready, commended himself and all of 
his interests into the hands of God, and calmly took his jour- 
ney to that better country. But he has left a heritage to his 
brethren here, in that desolate wife and helpless little children. 
She sits there in the Alamo city, overwhelmed with a sense of 
her loss, loneliness and destitution, with three tender little 
ones looking up to her for protection and care. Brethren, 
shall that mute picture appeal to our sympathies in vain?" — 
Baptist Record. 

James B, Gambrell, D. 
£>., was born in Anderson 
county, S. C, August 21, 
1841. In his second year 
his parents moved with him 
to Tippah county, Miss., 
then a very new country. 
Here he grew up on a farm 
doing all kinds of farm 
work, and going more or 
less to the very poor 
schools of the day. He was 
fond of all kinds of active 
sports, such as riding, 
swimming, hunting, etc. 
His first book was pur- 
chased of a missionary col- 
porteur of the Chickasaw 
Association for two dimes, 
which dimes were the price of coon skins he had sold. The 
book was " Facts for Boys," and it made a strong impression 
on the lad. At the age of twelve or thirteen the boy had a 
distinctive mental awakening. He put away his guns, except 
at intervals, disposed of his dogs, gave up the chase, and 
turned his whole thoughts to books. A gift-book enterprise 
in New York, for which he became agent, enabled him to be- 
come the owner of a large number of books when hardly a 
family in the county had more than a bare half dozen. 

When about fifteen years of age another great awaken- 
ing occurred in his life. He was converted and publicly pro- 
fessed the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ under the preach- 




J. B. GAMBRELL, D. D. 



286 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ing of Rev. Lewis Ball, that useful man of God who still 
lingers, in old age, in Clinton. He united with Pleasant Ridge 
church, Tippah county. A little later than this he began to 
prepare for college, first at Orizaba, under Mr. Laird, a Cum- 
berland Presbyterian preacher, and later still in Prof. R. M. 
Lowell's Academy, at Cherry Creek. He was in this school 
when the war broke out. He immediately volunteered and 
joined Company I, Second Mississippi Regiment, Col. Faulk- 
ner, afterwards Gov. J. M. Stone, commanding. He served 
in the line for some months, participating in most of the great 
battles in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. From an 
occasional special excursion as a scout he was made regular 
scout for Hill's corps, and was finally promoted for gallantry 
at Falling Waters and sent to the west to raise and command 
a company of scouts for particular service. He continued in 
this service with activity and distinction till the close of the 
war. He never did surrender, but he just quit when he found 
everybody else had quit. 

During his sendee as a scout, in Virginia, he became 
acquainted with Miss Mary T. Corbell, of Nausemond county, 
Virginia, and at one o'clock, January 13, 1864, inside the 
Federal lines, they were married. He has always believed this 
to be the most important act of his life of a worthy character. 
Miss Corbell had enjoyed the best of educational advantages. 
was brave, firm and aspiring in a good sense. 

During a year of enforced idleness after the war Captain 
Gambrell (as he was then known about home) began anew the 
pursuit of his educational work with the help of his excellent 
and accomplished wife, and he says of her, " She has been my 
greatest earthly blessing and helper till this day." In 1867 the 
gallant young captain felt the call of a higher commander to 
a higher work and service than had ever hitherto engaged 
his energies. He felt internal impressions that God would 
have him go as his embassador among men and publish the 
terms of reconciliation to God. He was at once licensed by 
his mother church, and in a short time was ordained to the 
full work of the ministry by Cherry Creek church, Pontotoc 
county. He became at once pastor of some country churches, 
his mother church, Pleasant Ridge, being among the number. 
He and his wife taught an academy at Wallerville, Union 
countv, Miss., two vears. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 287 

It is but proper to state that one of the main objects in 
teaching this school was to facilitate the completion of his 
own education. During this time he pushed his education 
by the help of his wife, studying harder than any student in 
the school. In 1870 he accepted the care of the West Point 
Baptist church for all of his time. In this pastorate he spent 
the most of two years, making a painstaking study of the doc- 
trines of the Bible, and changing on some points as a result 
of study. While at West Point he began the practice of writ- 
ing daily, which has been kept up to the present time. He 
never loved to write, but forced himself to do it for the sake 
of improvement. Looking back he can now see that this 
was of very great advantage to him. He says that in this way 
he wrote bushels of articles which were never published 
Many of these articles, however, were published in the Missis- 
sippi department of The Baptist, and in other papers. They 
revealed clearly the head and heart of a man possessing writ- 
ing talents of a high order. Every subject he discussed grew 
luminous under his touches ; and doubtless the appreciation of 
these articles written and published by him during this pastor- 
ate led finally to the choice of him by his brethren later for the 
editorial chair. The writer at this time retains a vivid impres- 
sion of some of the communications of " J. B. G." in The Bap- 
tist about this time. 

During his West Point pastorate Mr. Gambrell was in- 
vited by the Starkville Baptist church (fifteen miles distant) to 
come and preach at eleven o'clock, the fifth Sunday in Janu- 
ary, 1871, the ordination sermon of the writer. He started 
in ample time on horseback through the country, but find- 
ing a large creek out of its banks with high water and impas- 
sable he returned to West Point, took a train and went to the 
first station south, which carried him over the swollen stream, 
and hired a horse and came on twelve miles to Starkville. The 
delay caused him to fail to reach the church until after the 
sermon had been delivered by Rev. J. H. Cason, the Colum- 
bus pastor. To Mr. Gambrell was immediately assigned the 
duty of delivering the charge to the young preacher. This 
he did with great earnestness and appropriateness, basing his 
charge on the Apostle's word, " Take heed to yourselves and to 
the flock over which* the Holy Ghost hath appointed you 
overseers." 



288 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

With the experience obtained at West Point and the 
benefit from special study of the Bible doctrines he accepted 
the care of the Oxford church, then in a very low condition, 
and became a student in the University. The pay was less 
than one-third of a support. His marvelously energetic and 
accomplished wife here came to the rescue and made up the 
deficiency in the support by taking boarders, giving music 
lessons and teaching school in the summer. Here, at Oxford, 
he experienced a third distinct intellectual growth. Five 
years were spent in Oxford with great profit. The church 
grew and became self-supporting. The pastor had also 
greatly profited in gaining breadth, and strength and insight 
with some real helpful culture. The Oxford pastorate was, 
therefore, beneficial all around. But there now came another 
change in the scene of life's ever shifting panorama. 

Acting upon providential indications, Air. Gambrell left 
Oxford in order to become editor of the Mississippi Baptist 
Record, which was inaugurated by the Baptist State Conven- 
tion in 1ST7 as the organ and special representative of the 
convention and its work. Prof. M. F. Martin became pro- 
prietor, managing all the business of the new enterprise and 
Mr. Gambrell was made editor, controlling that part of the 
Record, moulding its policy, shaping its plans, and adapting 
it to the advancement of the best interests of the denomina- 
tion in the State within the territory of the convention. He 
also became pastor of the Clinton church, where he removed 
from Oxford, and also accepted the pastorate of Beulah church 
near Clinton in the country. For fifteen years he edited with 
ability the Record, sometimes alone, except as his accom- 
plished wife aided him, and sometimes with editorial associ- 
ates. In the year 1881 there became some friction between 
the editorial and business departments and for a week 
or two Air. Martin was sole manager of the paper. This, 
however, was all speedily adjusted and Air. Gambrell became 
both editor and proprietor of the paper. Its domicile was 
placed at Clinton, ten miles west of Jackson, on the Yicks- 
burg and Meridian railway. As pastor of the Clinton church 
his preaching was so highly esteemed that at the close of the 
first or second vear he was elected " pastor for life" of the 
church. As to his style of preaching he may be called a 
" great commoner," for of him it has generally been true, as 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 289 

it was of his Lord, that the " common people heard him 
gladly." While laying hold of the truths of the Bible with a 
master grip his presentation of it is so plain and simple that 
the average hearer finds no difficulty in comprehending every 
sentence. Often a truth is driven home as with a master 
stroke by some homely illustration, the force and point of 
which all feel and recognize. This pecularity of his style is one 
of the chief charms of his platform speaking, in which he is 
always very felicitous and effective. For instance, in an 
address on missions before the State Convention he once said 
he had heard that Alexander the Great had a man in his army 
named Alexander who was a great coward. He went to him 
on one occasion and said : " I understand that your name is 
Alexander and that you are a great coward. You must do one 
of three things, you must do your duty, or change your name 
or leave the army." Christians bear the name of Christ. They 
should do their duty or change their name or leave the army. 
His preaching and public speaking abounds in illustrations 
and in such illustrations as not only illustrate but also enforce. 
The hearer always feels pleased, smitten with the truth, and 
moved to or towards obedience to it. His preaching reminds 
one of the remark once made by a little girl in reference to 
the preaching of Dr. John A. Broadus. Having heard the 
doctor preach she went home and said to her mother: 
" Mother, I liked the sermon very much. Dr. Broadus didn't 
preach; he just made it up as he went along." It all seemed 
so plain and simple to her that it seemed to her that the 
preacher made it up as he spoke it. 

The policy of the Record under Dr. Gambrell's editorial 
control was constructive, unifying and developing with refer- 
ence to denominational affairs. The aim has ever been to 
build up and cement together the work of the Baptist hosts. 
It may truly be said that, under God, there was not during 
the fifteen years of his control of the columns of the paper any 
more efficient agency in unifying the denomination in the 
State than the Record. Of course, there were some elements 
and actions and men very difficult to get into line. He once 
delivered an address before the convention on the obstacles 
in the way of denominational unity. One of these was the 
" natural crookedness of human nature " which was illustrated 



290 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

by the case of a father and three sons arming themselves with 
clubs, hoes, spades, etc., and going to kill some terrible ani- 
mal they supposed rustling the leaves in a fence corner; who, 
upon investigation, only found a stick so crooked that it could 
not lie still. So, he said, there are some sticks among our 
people so crooked they cannot be still and they interfere with 
unity. The policy of the Record under his management 
was also pacific. Although he was twice led into extended 
controversies the spirit was not fierce and belligerent. 
Although he sometimes criticized the actions of public men, 
there was always present a purpose to develop great truths 
and principles which rose superior to any petty personal feel- 
ings. He did not engage in controversy merely to win 
victory, nor did he criticize to wound or to gratify any personal 
end. Soon after the establishment of the Record he engaged 
in a newspaper discussion of Landmarkism with the able and 
lamented Dr. J. B. Jeter, of the Religious Herald, the articles 
of both disputants being published in both the Record and 
Herald. Without expressing an opinion as to the merits of 
the discussion, it may be truly said that from beginning to 
end not an un-Christian expression was used by either Dr. 
Jeter or Dr. Gambrell. This controversy was conducted in 
a Christian spirit. Later there was a discussion in the columns 
of the Record between Dr. Gambrell and Dr. John Hunter, 
pastor of the Jackson Presbyterian church, on the subject of 
baptism. Equal space was given to his opponent and there 
seemed all the way through a high Christian purpose on the 
part of the editor to bring out Bible truth. This, too, was 
conducted in a Christian spirit. 

As editor he accomplished another great work in the 
State, rather it should be said that in it he was a pioneer and 
leading spirit. The saloons were holding high carnival all 
over our fair -commonwealth. They numbered in the aggre- 
gate twelve or fifteen hundred. The first note of war against 
them that was sounded publicly in the State was sounded by 
editor Gambrell in the Record. He wrote and published five 
articles on "The Matchless Evil." The note was taken up 
and sounded by others, and recruits for years were steadily 
gained to the prohibition ranks. After a time there began to 
be spots of prohibition territory over the State. The prohibi- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 29I 

tionists put a lecturer, Rev. J. H. Gambrell, a younger brother 
of the doctor, into the field, who lectured all over the State; a 
prohibition organ, The Argus, was established at Winona by 
Dr. W. A. Hurt, which was at last moved to Clinton and fell 
into the editorial management of the doctor's brother above 
mentioned and his son, Roderick Dhu Gambrell. Through 
the agitation prohibition conventions were held every year in 
Jackson, much work was done by earnest Baptists and Metho- 
dists, until finally, in 1886, a local option law was passed by 
the Legislature, allowing every two years a county vote on 
" sale" or " no sale" of intoxicants in the county. Under this 
law saloons have now been voted out of every county in the 
State except five or six which still remain " wet." It was on 
account of the bitterness stirred up in the first local option 
election in Hinds county, in connection with the exposure 
of other frauds and corruptions of officials in Jackson in the 
columns of the Sword and Shield, that Roderick Dhu Gam- 
brell, eldest son of Dr. Gambrell, was assassinated in the city 
of Jackson in May, 1887, by Senator Jones S. Hamilton and 
his accomplices. Later, similar work along the same line, 
led to the mutual slaying by each other of John Martin, of 
the New Mississippian, and Gen. Wirt Adams. 

In about 1884 Prof. George Wharton became associated 
with Dr. Gambrell in the business and editorial management 
of the Record. This combination, however, lasted only a 
short time, about a year or such a matter, when they pleasantly 
and amicably separated and Prof. Wharton returned to his 
chair in Mississippi College. 

In January, 1886, the writer became associated with Dr. 
Gambrell in the business and editorial work of the Record, the 
doctor being now the corresponding secretary of the Conven- 
tion Board in lieu of Rev. Lewis Ball, resigned. It was 
deemed to be for the best interests of the Record to be located 
in the city of Jackson on account of business, banking and 
mailing facilities. In the latter part of January the move be- 
gan and was about completed early in February. The entire 
outfit of the office, presses, type, etc., were in place in an 
elegant room of the second story of a brick building only a 
short distance from the State capitol. It was Saturday after- 
noon. Application had already been made for insurance and 



292 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS, 

the agent was to be in early Monday morning to arrange 
the papers and issue a policy of insurance. But before day- 
light Monday morning the office and its entire contents were 
a heap of smouldering ruins. The impossibility of the in- 
come of the Record, in its crippled condition — for its publi- 
cation was immediately resumed — led to the retirement of 
L. S. Foster from the business and editorial work of the 
paper, leaving everything in Dr. GambrelPs hands. 

About two years later the Record was carried by Dr. 
Gambrell to Meridian, a consolidation was effected with the 
Southern Baptist then published there by Rev. A. Gressett, 
and the whole interest was owned by a stock company and 
known as the Southern Baptist Record. Soon after this Dr. 
J. A. Hackett, the highly esteemed pastor of the First Baptist 
church, San Antonio, Texas, a former Mississippian, returned 
to the State for the purpose of locating in Meridian and taking 
stock in the Record company and becoming one of the editors. 
This combination continued several years during which time 
Dr. Gambrell was almost continuously engaged in work out- 
side of the office, although writing some for the paper. At 
length, in about the year 1892, he retired entirely from all con- 
nection with the Record editorially or otherwise. 

He did a great deal of work in the interests of Mississippi 
College and much of it was gratuitous. While living in Clin- 
ton and burdened with his editorial work for years he went 
out among the churches and raised money to pay the salaries 
of hard-worked professors and keep the college going, with- 
out any compensation. During the period of his secretary- 
ship of the Convention Board he devised the plan of induc- 
ing a number of well-to-do Baptists in the State to put their 
names down in his book as " College Regulars," agreeing to 
pay so much for college support every year so long as needed 
— a substitute for an endowment. A number went down 
for one hundred dollars annually, some for fifty, twenty-five, 
ten, five and so on. Having given up the office of corres- 
ponding secretary to Dr. J. T. Christian, he expected also to 
give up college work too. But the trustees prevailed on him 
to accept the position of financial agent of the college and 
endeavor to raise a permanent endowment. He finally con- 
sented to do this, and threw his entire energy into the work 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 293 

of securing enough endowment to receive a donation of five 
thousand dollars from the American Baptist Education So- 
ciety. This work brought him into correspondence with Mr 
Gates, secretary of the society, and lead also, possibly, to a 
personal attendance at a northern meeting of the society. 
This effort to raise an endowment led to the securing of about 
seventy thousand dollars in subscriptions. Much of this is 
good but still unpaid. Forty-two thousand dollars of cash 
is now in existence as an invested fund for college endowment 

His acquaintance north led to several invitations to him 
to come north and lecture on important occasions. These 
lectures, although on matters of a delicate nature for northern 
war treatment, and though all truly loyal to southern honor, 
were admirably received, widely copied and favorably com- 
mented upon. They were fine specimens of platform wisdom, 
simplicity and eloquence. 

Throughout his ministry and public work he has always 
favored a peace policy as to the north, while maintaining 
southern honor and safety. When he laid down his arms 
as captain of a gallant and trusted Confederate scout the war 
was over with him, and he has ever since favored the cultiva- 
tion of peaceable and fraternal relations with the north. He 
has ever been and is still a warm friend of ministerial educa- 
tion, and seeks in every way to promote the best possible 
education of pious young ministers. He has ever been the 
warm friend of the educational and religious elevation of the 
negroes. In every possible way he seeks to promote this 
desirable end. He has an established reputation as a lecturer, 
north and south, and is highly esteemed in this line of work. 
He was during the last session invited to deliver lectures to 
the students and faculty of Georgetown College, Ky., and of 
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. 
These lectures in both institutions were well received. 

In the year 1893, while the presidency of Mercer Univer- 
sity, Macon, Ga., was vacant, never having been permanently 
filled since the resignation of Dr. G. A. Nunnally, of Memphis, 
without his knowledge Dr. Gambrell was elected by the 
trustees to fill this position. He was telegraphed to visit 
Macon. He went. He saw. After prayerful consideration 
he decided to accept the place. In the opening of the fall 



294 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



session of the University, September, 1893, he was duly in- 
augurated as president. In a very short time he has the work 
well in hand, having passed through one successful session. 

In a very brief note — just a few lines — relative to his 
mention here, he says : " You know as well as any one how 
to estimate my writing, preaching, spirit and work. If I were 
dying, I would as soon you would say the last word about 
me as any one. This is enough to write. I ought to have 
lived better and done more. The most I can say for myself, 
is that, so far as I can know myself, I never wrote a line simply 
to hurt any one. I never did or failed to do a thing for per- 
sonal gain or through fear in my life. But I have been very 
faulty, and short-sighted, and sometimes very weak." 

Joel Halbert Gambrell, 

sixth son and eleventh 
heir of Deacon J. B. and 
Mrs. Jane E. Gambrell, was 
born May 7, 1855, on his 
parents' farm in Tippah 
county, Miss. He is a 
younger brother of Dr. J. 
B. Gambrell, president of 
Mercer University, Ga. At 
the close of the war he be- 
gan work as a farm hand, 
attending such schools as 
the country afforded as op- 
portunity presented. The 
real foundation of his edu- 
cation was laid by his elder 
brother, James B. Gam- 
brell, and his wife, the lat- 
ter of whom taught him the alphabet. In 1872 his parents re- 
moved from their plantation to the State University, at Oxford, 
Miss., to complete the education of their two youngest chil- 
dren, Joel H. and Lewis B. Here Joel remained until he was 
twenty-one years of age. While attending the University he 
made a public profession of faith in Jesus, and became a mem- 
ber of the Oxford Baptist church, being baptized by his 




REV. J. H. GAMBRELL. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 295 

brother, James B. Gambrell, who was then pastor of the church. 
During the years 1876 and 1877 he was engaged as a salesman 
in Baldwyn, Miss., and in teaching school in Prentiss county. 
In 1878 and 1879 he sold goods in Grenada, Miss., and taught 
school in Grenada county. While living in Grenada he led 
the moral forces in a memorable fight for a clean city govern- 
ment. During this contest, which resulted in a great victory 
for morality, his life was threatened repeatedly, and he wa$> 
several times assailed by the whisky forces. 

At Grenada he was licensed by the church there to preach. 
From Grenada, after being licensed to preach, he went to 
Mississippi College, where he spent one session in study in 
the collegiate course. At the close of this term of study he 
entered upon the work of lecturer for the Independent Order 
of Good Templars, for Mississippi. In this work he was en- 
gaged for some months and traveled over the State delivering 
earnest temperance lectures and organizing lodges of Good 
Templars in many places. He was then made State lecturer 
by the non-partisan State Prohibition Executive Committee. 
In the work of State prohibition lecturer and organizer, as he 
had determined from the beginning, he continued ten years, 
going from town to town, and from county to county, in the 
face of the most serious opposition and dire threats of violence. 
It is safe to say that he did more public speaking during these 
ten years than any three men in Mississippi. Three times he 
was waylaid to be assassinated; and at another time he was 
waited on by an enraged mob of whisky men, who intended to 
hang him. Each attempt on his life he met with cool, reso- 
lute resistance, and all so quietly that but few, except those 
immediately concerned, ever knew anything of it. While in 
this prohibition work he was for several years associated with 
his nephew, Roderick D. Gambrell, in the editorial manage- 
ment of the "Sword and Shield," the State Prohibition paper, 
the name of which was changed from "The Argus," after it 
passed out of the management of Dr. W. A. Hurt, and was lo- 
cated in Clinton. It died with its heroic young editor in Jack- 
son, May, 1887. In this field of work Mr. Gambrell, besides 
his public lectures, greatly promoted the growth of public sen- 
timent against the legalized saloon business in the State. To 
say that he had smooth sailing in this work, lecturing and ed- 



296 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

iting on prohibition lines, would be to state that which is 
false. The bold and fearless attacks which he made upon an 
immoral business intrenched behind so many barricades, 
touching so many interests and appealing so strongly to the 
cupidity of the persons engaged in it and to the appetites of 
those enslaved by it, aroused a bitter opposition and enmity all 
over the State against him. It could not be otherwise. He 
necessarily antagonized business interests and appetites and 
that necessarily aroused the enmity of many persons in every 
community, not only from those directly concerned, but from 
many staid and conservative church members who either 
dreaded the resultant enmity or wished to rely entirely upon 
continued license and heavy taxes and penalties, with moral 
suasion, for the suppression of the whisky evil. Mr. Gam- 
brell, before he left the State, saw the saloons voted out of 
every county in it, with five or six exceptions, and saw the 
number of legalized dram shops reduced, in the State, from 
about twelve hundred to only about ten. 

In 1883, while engaged in his prohibition work, he was 
married to Miss Vic. R. Pickens, who was teaching mathemat- 
ics and elocution in Whitworth Female College, Brookhaven, 
Miss. The fruit of this marriage is two sons and two daugh- 
ters and a lovely Christian home. In March, 1890, Mr. Gam- 
brell was ordained to the full work of the ministry at Brook- 
haven, Miss., the presbytery being composed of Rev. A. A. 
Lomax, Dr. W. S. Webb, Dr. B. D. Gray, Rev. R. J. Boone 
and Dr. J. B. Gambrell. After his ordination he served 
country churches, near Brookhaven, as a matter of choice, 
until March, 1894. At this time, responding to a unanimous 
and urgent call to the pastorate of the Baptist church in 
Greensboro, Georgia, he moved to that pleasant town and at 
once entered upon his duties there as pastor. Speaking of 
leaving Mississippi, his native State, he says: "It was the su- 
preme trial of my life to leave my native State. I have always 
wanted to give Mississippi the benefit of my services and at 
last find a resting place in her generous bosom. Nothing but 
the clearest conviction of duty could have removed me from 
the blessed State." It is safe to say that no man in the State 
possessed more general and accurate information on the va- 
rious phases of the prohibition question. Competent critics 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 297 

say that his famous review, in the Brookhaven Leader, of 
"Bishop" C. B. Galloway's 'local option" theory, in 1894, is 
the most masterly and crushing paper ever published in Mis- 
sissippi. The "Bishop" never attempted any reply. 

In July, 1892, a convention of the Prohibitionists and 
People's party met at Jackson and nominated him as their 
candidate for Congress from his district. When he became 
convinced that he would be elected if he accepted, he declined 
the nomination because he was unwilling to give up the pas- 
torate for a seat in Congress. He believed that preachers are 
the God-appointed leaders of the people in all that concerns 
them. Feeling thus, he allowed his name to be placed as 
State elector upon the Prohibition party ticket and made a 
number of speeches in the presidential campaign of 1892. The 
most astute politicians met him in debate but one time. For 
taking this part in politics he has been widely censured, even 
by some of his own brethren, but he felt that a preacher, be- 
ing none the less a citizen, might appropriately espouse a 
great moral issue in politics and make a canvass in the inter- 
est of cleanness and integrity in a political campaign. So 
have pious and consecrated ministers of Jesus believed and 
acted in other States, nations and times. Knowing Mr. Gam- 
brell so well personally, the writer can conscientiously say that 
he acted from a pure and lofty motive of benefit to his constit- 
uents and to the cause of political integrity in the State. 

Physically he is a fine specimen of manhood. He is six 
feet two inches high, is as straight as an arrow, weighs 
one hundred and eighty pounds, and has an excellent voice. 
In his lecturing he is humorous and pathetic. He often in- 
dulges in homely and humorous illustration, which makes his 
older brother such a pleasing platform speaker. He is a man of 
strong and positive convictions on all subjects of practical 
morality and religion, and has "the courage of his convic- 
tions." While he does not seek or specially invite antago- 
nism, he does not shun it if it comes in the line of proclaiming 
and enforcing his convictions. As to his preaching, he has 
steadily preached the old-fashioned gospel of salvation by 
grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and with marked 
success. He is independent in thought and action and would 
surrender his life in defense of his convictions if it became 



298 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

necessary. During his short pastorate in his native State he 
had many assurances of the blessing of God upon his labors; 
and is much encouraged in his brief work in his Georgia pas- 
torate of a few months. 



George William Gardner. The subject of this sketch was 
born on a farm in Orangeburg, South Carolina, August 5, 
1851. He is the descendant, on his father's side, of Baptists, 
his grandfather, Elijah Gardner, being a Baptist preacher. His 
great-grandfather, Jonathan Courtney, who was the father of 
his father's mother, was also a Baptist preacher. His great- 
grandfather, William Gardner, was also a Baptist, and must 
have been a man of great force of character, judging from the 
part he took in the Revolutionary War . James and Stephen 
Gardner, brother of his grandfather, settled in Montgomery 
county, Ala., about 1828, and they, or some of their descend- 
ants, aftenvards came to Mississippi. Mr. Gardner attended 
the common country schools, uniting work on the farm with 
study, his father having profound convictions that a boy's ed- 
ucation was not what it should be unless he was taught to 
know something of the practical. He entered the Greenville 
High School, Greenville, S. C, October, 1870, which, though 
a private school, was really the preparatory department of Fur- 
man University. By the most diligent application he was pre- 
pared by July, 1871, to enter the classes of the University. Bv 
this time his health was precarious, and, in order to obtain 
means, he taught school for some months, and was not per- 
mitted to enter the University until September, 1872, from 
which he was graduated June, 1875, but, upon consultation 
with some of the professors, he decided to remain another 
session and take a higher degree. So insatiable was his thirst 
for knowledge that for months before going to Greenville he 
would stay awake at nights longing for the way and means 
which would enable him to attend college. He went to 
Greenville a member of a Baptist church, but in a meeting 
conducted in the Greenville Baptist church, of which the re- 
vered James C. Furman, D. D., was pastor, and also president 
of the University, he was savingly converted. This was in the 
spring of 1873. The following vacation he preached his first 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 299' 

sermon and was licensed by his church to preach. He con- 
tinued to preach during vacations until the 15th of August. 
1875, when he was ordained to the full work of the ministry at 
Sardis church, Lexington county, S. C. He does not hesi- 
tate to say that he feels assured that God sent him to Green- 
ville to make him a Christian, and to put him in the ministry. 
During his last year in college he served a church as pastor, 
preaching to them once a month. 

He attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 
in Greenville one session, and upon its removal to Louisville, 
Ky., went with it to that city, and remained another session, 
graduating in most of its schools. He would have returned 
and completed the course had he not discovered, during the 
vacation that his health was so injured as to make it necessary 
for him to abandon the idea of continued study. Leaving the 
seminary he accepted the position of business manager of the 
"Baptist Courier," of S. C, and united that work with preach- 
ing to two churches. He gave up the position of.his own accord 
and devoted his energies for one year to the service of country 
churches in Anderson and Abbeeville counties, S. C. In 
1880, at the invitation of the State Mission Board and the call 
of the little church, he went to Lancaster, S. C, the county 
seat of Lancaster county. There were only eight members 
in the church and they had never had a pastor. Within four 
years he had succeeded in completing a nice house of worship 
and had built up a good congregation. At the end of four 
years the church had become self-supporting, and is to-day one 
of the best churches in South Carolina. The death of a noble 
wife caused him to give up the church, and leave a people 
who were ardently attached to the young pastor. He then 
served, for several years, the church at Union, S. C. where 
good work was accomplished. His next pastorate of impor- 
tance was with the Harmony church, Chester county, S. C, 
where he preached every Sunday. Here he had in his con- 
gregation persons of whom he had been pastor during his 
service with the Lancaster church. It was at this time, in 
1889, that he wrote a series of articles for the "Bibical Re- 
corder," of Raleigh, N. C, which attracted wide attention and 
which received the most favorable commendation of the best 
men in the State. These letters Dr. C. T. Bailey, the editor, 



300 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

declared to be the best which were ever written for his paper 
and that they were widely and eagerly read. They at once 
gave him reputation as a writer. These letters were burles- 
ques upon parties who went abroad for a few months and re- 
turned to lecture and make it known by divers means that 
the}- had crossed the ocean. The occasion was propitious as 
a goodly number had just returned from such a trip and were . 
pursuing the usual methods. The writer assumed himself to 
be an old man who was writing from abroad and who had 
taken his pastor with him with a view of adding to his reputa- 
tion. They were signed "Uncle Cris," a name which was 
famous in North Carolina. In September, 1S89, he received 
and accepted the call of the Oxford Baptist church, Missis- 
sippi, where he labored until his removal to Florida and thence 
to Georgia, in the latter part of 1893. Oxford is the- habitat 
of the University of Mississippi, and the pastorate there is one 
of great importance. In January, 1892, he became associate 
editor of the "Baptist Record'' with Dr. J. A. Hackett, after 
the retirement of Dr. J. B. Gambrell from editorial connection 
with the paper, rendering this service in addition to Jiis work 
as pastor at Oxford. Previous to his connection with the 
"Record" he was a regular contributor to the "Western Re- 
corder," the "Biblical Recorder" and other papers. 

Tudson College, Xorth Carolina, conferred the degree of 
Doctor of Divinity upon him June 10th, 1893. If any meas- 
ure of success has attended his labors he feels that it is all due 
to the blessings of a gracious Master upon his most unworthy 
servant. Among these blessings he acknowledges with pro- 
found gratitude the gift of Miss Laura Kendrick, of Charlotte, 
X. C. who became his second wife December 22, 1885, and 
who is a woman of deep piety and great worth, being a keeper 
at home, and a strong supporter in a womanly way of all that 
is good. In the summer of 1893, Dr. Gardner received an in- 
vitation to the pastorate of the church at Kissimmee, Fla., 
which he decided to accept, and resigned his pastorate at Ox- 
ford. Remaining there only a few months, he decided, with 
the full consent of his church, to resign his pastorate there, 
for sufficient reasons, and accept the pastorate of the church at 
Jackson, Ga. In this pastorate he is now (Oct., 1894) located. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 30 1 

J. J.J Gibson was born December 4, 1861, in Union 
county, S. C. His childhood was spent around an humble 
home, and he had exceedingly poor educational advantages. 
The first sermon he ever listened to was preached by Rev. G. 
W. Moorehead, who in after years assisted Mr. Gibson in a 
series of meetings. This first sermon was bread cast upon the 
waters gathered up many days hence by Mr. Moorehead. 
When he was a boy of eleven summers his father moved to 
Mississippi, arriving at Oxford in March, 1873. After being a 
few weeks in this State the lad heard his first sermon in Mis- 
sissippi. It was preached by Rev. William Burney in King- 
dom church, where in after years Mr. Gibson preached two 
commencement sermons. In this State his boyhood days 
were spent on a farm in La Fayette county, with very few 
school privileges. He made a public profession of religion 
September, 1879, under the preaching of Rev. R. G. Hewlett, 
at Yellow Leaf church, the text being Mat. 6:23. During Oc- 
tober of the following year he united with a Baptist church and 
was baptized by Rev. W. W. Finley. Near this time the first 
sad trial of the young soldier came upon him in the loss of a 
devoted father, but with the Lord as his shepherd he could 
say, "I shall not want" for a comforter. He pressed boldly 
on, remaining two years at his father's home, and then, having 
attained his majority, he left the immediate scenes of his child- 
hood and became an hireling. With two leading ideas, — to 
serve Christ, and get an education, — he entered a country 
school a man in age, a child in knowledge. His circumstances 
being somewhat adverse he was compelled to attend school 
during short intervals, and, so to speak, "work his way 
through." 

He was licensed to preach by Bethel church in May, 1886, 
and was called on for his first sermon the following Sabbath. 
His text was Psa. 37:25. He entered school and continued 
for a short time at Oxford, and went from there to Toccopola 
College. At both places he worked mornings and evenings 
and Saturdays to defray expenses. He spoke in a medal 
contest at Toccopola, 1889, and received the second honor. 
He made a few efforts to preach but had no regular work till 
the- summer of the same year, during which time he assisted 
Brethren G. W. Halowell, W .H. Miller and F. M. Fewell in 



302 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

protracted meetings at their respective churches. His ordina- 
tion was called for by Poplar Springs and London Hill 
churches. He was ordained in February, 1890. Revs. C. W. 
Smith, G. W. Halowell, F. M. Fewell, W. P. Winter and W. 
W. Swaim, Sr., serving as presbytery. The ordination sermon 
was preached by Rev. G. W. Halowell, text, "The testimony 
of the Lord is sure." 

He served three churches during 1890, graduated in June 
from Toccopola College, moved to Tula, where he has been 
and now is spending his spare time in the Tula Normal In- 
stitute at work on special lines of study. He served four 
churches in 1891, three in 1892, four in 1893, and has had six 
calls for 1894. He has accepted the following pastorates for 
1894: Bethel, Poplar Springs, Friendship and Turkey Creek. 
The first three are in the Chickasaw and the last in the Calhoun 
Association. He has never taken charge of a church without 
marked improvement in the missionary interest, the size of the 
congregation, and number of members added. Hundreds 
have been converted under his preaching, two of whom were 
fifty-seven and sixty-two years of age, and were men who 
seemed to be given over to hardness of heart. Among the 
many accessions to the churches were several Pedo-baptists, 
one of whom was a father of grown children and had been a 
Methodist from childhood. Mr. Gibson "sends his heart-felt 
greeting and many good wishes to the Baptist ministry of the 
State of Mississippi and promises to cheerfully co-operate 
with them in the great work now being carried on. 'May the 
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen/ " 

W. L. Gideon. We Trojans are bowed down with grief 
on account of the sudden death of our beloved pastor, W. L. 
Gideon. He left his residence in his usual health late Friday 
evening, November 6, 1891, and took tea with his son. About 
8 p. m., while in the act of leaving for home, he complained of 
a swimming in the head, shortness of breath, and exclaiming, 
"I am dying." fell into a chair, and in a few short moments his 
spirit had taken its flight to the God who gave it. Thus 
passed away one among the best men it was ever my privilege 
to know. I did not start out to write an eulogy of our la- 
mented brother, believing that an abler writer than I am will 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 303 

perform that duty to the point. We are without a preacher. 
We have a large territory, a number of Baptist churches, and 
preachers few and far between. What we want is a live, ener- 
getic Baptist preacher to locate at Troy, which we think is an 
inviting field for a man that is willing to work for a small sal- 
ary. The locality is very healthy, and the people are social 
and refined. I would be pleased to correspond with any en- 
terprising minister that is seeking a new field in which to work 
for the divine Master. — D. W. Fowler. 

At a meeting of the Smith ville Baptist church on the 
fourth Lord's Day in November appointed for the special pur- 
pose of considering the death of our worthy pastor, Rev. W. 
L. Gideon, the following preamble and resolutions were 
adopted: "Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God in his wis- 
dom to remove from our midst and the scenes of his labors 
our beloved pastor, Rev. W. L. Gideon, Friday, Nov. 6, at 
Troy, Pontotoc county, Miss., we feel it to be eminently fitting 
as a church which devotedly loved and honored him for his 
many sterling qualities of head and heart to give some feeble 
expression of the deep sorrow that touches our hearts, and the 
warm and sincere aft'ection cherished for him, the great loss to 
the church, and our high appreciation of his services as min- 
ister and pastor ; therefore be it Resolved, (1) That in the death 
of Rev. W. L. Gideon the Baptist church of Smithville has lost 
a beloved and devoted pastor, the denomination a faithful, in- 
telligent, and consecrated Christian minister, the community 
an enterprising, and progressive citizen; society a useful mem- 
ber and shining exemplar of Christian virtues; the cause of 
education, an esteemed friend and pastor; his wife, a faithful 
and loving husband, his children, a kind and indulgent father; 
and his acquaintances, a warm and sympathetic friend. (2) 
That though his death has cast a gloom, and sadness over us, 
and our house is draped in mourning, and our every heart is 
stricken with pain and sorrow, and our little flock is without 
a shepherd, and we are unable to understand why our Heav- 
enly Father cuts down one so useful to His cause in the midst 
of labors so highly blessed; we bow in humble submission to 
the divine will of Him whose ways are inscrutable and who 
doeth all things well. (3) That we tender the family of the 
deceased whose already wounded hearts have been torn afresh 



304 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

by this last severe affliction, our deep, sincere and heartfelt 
sympathy in their sad bereavement. (4) That these resolu- 
tions be spread upon the minutes of our church, a copy sent to 
the bereaved family, and a copy furnished the "Southern Bap- 
tist Record" for publication. T. A. Oliphant, R. W. Smith, 
W. S. Kilgo, Committee." 

William M. Gilbert. Of William W. Gilbert's parentage, 
birth, early life and education, we have no information. He 
was ordained to the full work of the ministry at Ebenezei- 
church, Tishomingo county, September, 1875. The presby- 
tery consisted of Revs. William Matthews and W. F. White. 
He has served five churches in Mississippi and others in Ala- 
bama. 

J. W. Gillon was born in Choctaw county, Miss., August 
26, 1867. His father moved to Yalobusha county in 1869. 
He was reared on the farm and during his farm life (which 
lasted till he was eighteen years of age) he did almost every 
kind of work known to the southern farmer's boy. He was 
converted at the age of sixteen and soon afterwards united with 
what was then known as the Midway Baptist church of Yalo- 
busha Association. At an early date after his conversion he 
felt it his duty to preach. He had no education more than 
could be obtained in the country public school, so he felt he 
was totally unprepared to undertake such a course. He went 
from the farm to Water Valley, Miss., where he attended the 
public school for five months, after which time he was em- 
ployed as salesman in an exclusive shoe store where he re- 
mained for one year. On leaving the store he went to Bir- 
mingham, Ala., where he found employment on the north and 
south division of the L. and N. R. R. as freight brakeman. 
He held this position as brakeman until October, 1886, at 
which time he gave up the job and returned to Water Valley 
and began work with an uncle in a dry goods store, which po- 
sition he filled till January, 1888. 

All of this time he had been working and secretly hoping 
to gain sufficient means to educate himself for the ministry 
which he left was the work God would have him do. In the 
latter part of January, 1888, he was surprised by his pastor, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 305 

Rev. W. T. Hudson, asking him one prayer meeting night if 
he did not feel called to the ministry. He immediately made 
known to him what, till then, had been a secret hope with 
him. His pastor proposed having the church license him to 
preach. He made his first attempt to preach the fourth Sun- 
day in January, 1888, at which time he was licensed and his 
church pledged itself to aid him in securing an education 
which pledge it faithfully kept giving him what aid it could up 
till the time he left college in January, 1892. He was edu- 
cated at Mississippi College, entering college in the spring of 
1888, and leaving in the spring of 1892. During two years 
of his college course he roomed in what is commonly known 
as the Nelson Cottage. During this time his room-mate and 
he did the cooking for eight boys. He cooked half of the time 
and his mate the other half. At the same time he had charge 
of the college chapel in the capacity of janitor. He made all 
the fires for the chapel, and rang the bell every hour during 
the day for which labor he received three dollars per month. 
He also from the second session of his college course half- 
soled shoes for the boys to help meet his expenses. 

During one session he made seventy-five dollars at this 
work and carried on all his studies. He was ordained to the 
full work of the ministry by the Water Valley Baptist church 
in September, 1891. Revs. E. L. Wesson, H. L. Johnson, W. 
I. Horgis, C. G. Blount were the presbytery. Immediately 
after leaving college he was called to the pastorate of the 
church at Houston, Miss. He served this church one fourth 
of his time till December, 1892. He. was then called to the 
pastorate of the Okolona church and began work with it the 
first Sunday in June, 1892, and served it for three fourths of 
his time till January, 1893, after which time he served it for 
all of his time till September 1, 1893. At that time he re- 
signed to go to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 
During his pastorate at Okolona the church paid a debt of 
thirteen hundred dollars and dedicated their house of worship 
which had been finished four years previous to his pastorate. 

On leaving Okolona he went to the seminary where he 
remained seven months, during which time he served as mis- 
sionary under the East Baptist church. In April, 1894, he was 



306 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

called to the pastorate of Milan Baptist church, Milan, Tenn., 
and began his work there May 1, 1894. 

Hezekiah Glover. Hezekiah Glover came from Alabama 
to Mississippi. He was ordained in Alabama in 1843 and the 
greater portion of his ministerial life was spent before he re- 
moved from Alabama to Mississippi in 1866. Coming to this 
State he united with Pleasant Grove church, Pontotoc count v. 
He died August 11, 1868. 

J. R. Golding was born in South Carolina about 1809. 
He moved to Mississippi and settled in Choctaw county in 
1839. He was an anti-missionary Baptist before he moved to 
this State. He joined the church at Bethany, near Slate 
Springs, Zion Association, in the summer of 1842 during the 
great revival in that church conducted by ''Father Herod" and 
others. He commenced preaching as soon as he joined the 
missionaries. He was ordained to the full work of the minis- 
try by Philadelphia church in 1844. He was pastor of that 
church for more than twenty years in succession. He was 
also pastor of Harmony church about twenty years, and of 
Bethel, Fellowship, Concord and Mulberry churches, each 
for a number of years. As a minister of the gospel of Christ 
he was sound, earnest and faithful. As pastor he was suc- 
cessful and much beloved by his churches. As a friend he 
was ever true to any trust committed to him. As a neighbor 
he was kind, sympathetic and accommodating. He baptized 
a great many people, many of whom yet survive him and by 
whom his memory is held sacred. He lived contemporary 
with Father Herod, Elders Meedy, White, J. T. Fox, A. B. 
Hicks, Sr., Silas Dobbs, S. S. Lattimore and others who were 
pioneer preachers of this country and who laid the foundation 
of a pure gospel for the Baptist hosts of this State. He was 
father of nine children, six sons and three daughters. He died 
from the effects of amputation of a leg in the fall of 1868, 
much beloved by his brethren and full of faith and good works. 
He died as he had lived, trusting in God. It may well be said 
of him, ''Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, from hence- 
forth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 307 

and their works do follow them." "For to him to live was 
Christ, but to die was gain." Dear brother, 

"Thou art gone to the grave, 

But we will not deplore thee; 
God gave thee, He took thee, 

And he can restore thee." 

[This was contributed by a committee of Philadelphia 
church, Zion Association, and is signed by W. A. Moore, Dr. 
T. Pittman, and Z. Middleton, committee, Rev. A. B. Hicks, 
pastor, and Thomas Cooper, church clerk. In this way infor- 
mation was furnished of several pioneer ministers ; indeed Rev. 
A. W. Hicks, Bellefontaine, has taken a special interest in this 
work and furnished much help. — L. S. F.] 

S. A. Goodwin, D. D., was comparatively a young man 
when he came to Mississippi and became pastor of the Colum- 
bus Baptist church as the successor of Rev. J. H. Cason about 
the year 1876. He was a man of fine abilities and excellent 
pulpit qualifications. His style, though, florid, was vigorous 
and elegant; his delivery charming, and he at once became 
one of the most popular pulpit orators in East Mississippi. 
In about 1879 he resigned the Columbus pastorate and ac- 
cepted that of the Baptist church in Sherman, Texas. Re- 
maining there a few years he went to Union Springs, Ala., and 
after a brief pastorate there became pastor of the church in 
Danville, Va. Leaving Danville he entered the pastorate of 
one of the Richmond churches. While pastor in Richmond 
he wrote and published some articles in the "Religious Her- 
ald," criticizing the mission methods of the boards of the 
Southern Baptist Convention. These criticisms were replied 
to by representatives of each Board. Leaving Richmond two 
years since he became pastor of the First church in Savannah, 
Ga., as successor of the lamented Dr. J. E. L. Holmes. He is 
now (1894) in this important pastorate in Savannah. Dr. 
Goodwin is everywhere a popular orator and attracts large 
congregations to his churches. He is a vigorous writer as 
well as a popular preacher and pastor. 

Charles Mantraville Gordon was a native of Missis- 
sippi, born in Copiah county, in 1839, and when called to the 



308 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

pastorate of the First church of Meridian, in April, 1875, was 
thirty-six years of age. He was born of honorable but poor 
parentage, and was by his own efforts and the aid of his friends 
educated mainly at Mississippi College. He only finished the 
courses through the Junior Class in 1861, when he entered the 
Confederate army and served his country with patriotic ardor 
and devotion. 

He was ordained to the gospel ministry on January 10, 
1864, by the New Providence Baptist church, of Copiah 
county, Miss. He was three times married. His first wife 
was Miss E. Wise; his second was Miss Taylor, each of whom 
lived only a short time after marriage. He was afterwards 
united to Miss Ida Inge, of Natchez, a lady of rare personal 
beauty, and deeply devoted to him. In physique he was an 
Apollo; six feet tall, erect in stature, jet black hair, dark pierc- 
ing eyes, complexion slightly florid, or more properly dark 
florid, bright beaming, happy face, but with all the marks of 
character closely written on all his features. Neat and tidy as 
a Chesterfield, he laid great stress upon those graces of manner 
which always distinguish the gentleman from the mere man. 
As a minister of the gospel, he was studious, and prepared his 
sermons with great care, often writing them out in full. He 
was sound in doctrine and laid much stress upon the great 
doctrine of salvation by grace. It was his favorite theme. 
He ascribed every blessing which the Christian enjoys to 
grace. He preached with much animation, though not vehe- 
ment; and whilst he could not be said to possess the graces 
of oratory, there were times when his earnestness and pathos 
were great, and it was not unusual to see his congregation 
deeply moved. He was a man of strong feelings and strong 
convictions. Indeed, the weak point in his character — especi- 
ally as a minister — was that he would not make due allowance 
at all times for the faults, frailties and short-comings of others. 
He could not make due allowance for men who could not see 
things as he saw them or as he thought they ought to see them. 
Yet he was not offensively imperious and over bearing in his 
intercourse with men. These qualities, however, made him a 
-strong friend where he bestowed his friendship, and marked 
him everywhere among men. The better one knew him, the 
better he liked him, and this virtue in his character was such 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 309 

that those who knew him well, not only admired him, but be- 
came really attached to him. In May, 1877, having been 
elected president of Meridian Female College he resigned the 
pastorate of the church to take effect July 1, of that year. He 
continued as president of the college till June, 1880, when he 
resigned and removed to Okolona whither he had been called 
as pastor of the Okolona church. He was a model college 
president, and under his presidency the Meridian Female Col- 
lege flourished and attained to the highest efficiency in its his- 
tory. His pastorate in Okolona was an auspicious, though, a 
brief one. His death, which occurred September 25, 1881, 
was a tragic one. He was in the midst of a great revival meet- 
ing in his church, and on Thursday night after preaching a 
great sermon and returning to his home, and after his wife 
and two little children had retired he disrobed, put on his 
night-gown, and whilst extinguishing the oil lamp it exploded 
throwing the ignited and highly inflammable oil over the 
bosom of his gown. Before he could extinguish it he had in- 
haled the flame or superheated air, which produced congestion 
of the lungs and he died in about thirty hours afterwards. *His 
Christian resignation under the powerful suffering wmich he 
endured, was heroic, beautiful, and afforded another proof of 
the efficacy of the religion of our Lord to comfort and sus- 
tain in the hour of severest trial. Thus fell one of the noblest 
soldiers of the cross, in the prime of life, with his armor on, 
burnished and bright, and entered into that rest that remaineth 
to the people of God. 

To these words of Capt. Hardy it seems proper to add 
a word or two more relative to the work of Mr. Gordon 
and the following will be a just and fitting supplement. He 
early felt impressions of duty to preach the gospel and entered 
upon this work in 1860. During the dark days of war, on 
the field of strife, he preached as chaplain of the Thirty-sixth 
Mississippi Regiment in the Confederate army. His first 
pastorate, after the war, was at Rodney, Jefferson county, 
where he also engaged in the mercantile business to pay ex- 
penses and piece out his salary. During his residence here he 
was insolently insulted by a man and was drawn unfortunately 
into a personal altercation in which blows were passed. Every 
one acquainted with the circumstances fully justified him in 



310 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

his course from the stand-point of equity and right. Filling- 
other important pastorates he at length became pastor of Wall 
Street Baptist church, Natchez, Miss. Here he did some good 
work, until in 1875, he was invited to and accepted the pastor- 
ate of the First Baptist church, Meridian, and took up the work 
as outlined above. Except last paragraph contributed by 
Capt. W. H. Hardy, Meridian, Miss. 

W. M. Gordon was bom in South Carolina, April 24, 
1831. In early life he made two efforts to secure an education 
but failed each time on account of frail health. His physicians 
advised him to discontinue all efforts at study saying he was so 
constituted that he could not stand confinement. So, on this 
score, he has labored under peculiar disadvantages. He made 
a profession of religion and united with the church (a Baptist 
church), in August, 1849. He was at the same time baptized 
by Rev. J. G. Kendrick in Pacolet river, in South Carolina. 
In 1857 he moved to Chickasaw county, Miss., and became 
identified with the Baptists of the State. He united with 
Bethel church, in that part of the State. Feeling impressed to 
preach he was duly licensed and soon a presbytery was invited 
by his church, consisting of Revs. R. W. Thompson, R. M. 
Mitchell, J. L. Jennings and G. L. Jennings, who solemnly 
ordained him to* the full work of the gospel ministry. He im- 
mediately became pastor of Poplar Springs and Montpeher 
churches. The former he served five and the latter two years 
He baptized thirty-one into each church. In 1866 he married 
and moved to Tate county. In this county he served Carolina 
church two years, Midway six years, Looxahoma, eight, Phil- 
adelphia eight, Harmony three, New Hope two. Into all 
these churches he baptized an aggregate of three hundred and 
fifty-five persons. He has farmed, raised a large family and 
served these churches the best he could under such circum- 
stances No doubt he has accomplished much good m his 
pastoral services. Now in old age his health is greatly im- 
paired and he is forced to give up the service of churches for 
a time If his health is restored he hopes, with God s help, 
to resume his pastoral work. His life is blameless and irre- 
proachable, and, although he may not be able to preach the 
gospel for some years, he is living it every day. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 31 1 

Alanson Goss. Alanson Goss' early life, parentage, edu- 
cation, and conversion are unknown to us. He was ordained 
to the full work of the ministry at Mount Pleasant church, 
Scott county, Miss., in May, 1842. Revs. R. R. Fortson and 
Stephen Berry composed the presbytery. He was actively en- 
gaged in the work of the ministry as pastor and evangelist, 
and, in 1880, though seventy-four years old, he preached nearly 
every Sunday. 

G. A. Grammar was born in Mississippi in the year 
1844. Feeling impressed with the duty of preaching, he was 
licensed by his church and was solemnly set apart to the minis- 
try by ordination April 14, 1867 at the age of twenty-three. 
He immediately entered upon the pastorate of churches. Be- 
sides serving in this relation a number of country churches 
he was pastor at Yazoo City and of the Vicksburg church in 
1878. This was the year of the terrible yellow fever scourge 
which ravaged Grenada' and so many other towns in Missis- 
sippi and elsewhere. In this epidemic Mr. Grammar lost most 
of his family in Vicksburg. Leaving Mississippi he went to 
Lonoke, Arkansas, in 1880, and accepted work as a missionary 
of the Baptist State Convention. In 1882, he lived at Forest 
City, same State, where he was pastor up to 1887, five years. 
In 1887 he returned to Mississippi and became pastor of the 
Okolona church. He remained in this pastorate two years, 
taking a deep interest in all denominational affairs in the State. 
In 1889 he returned to his pastorate in Forest City, Ark. Re- 
maining here one year he went to Eureka Springs, same State. 
The next year (1891) he lived at Morrillton. Here he spent 
one year and we next find him at Breckenridge, Texas. 
Spending one year there he became pastor in 1893 at Troupe, 
Texas, where he is now the esteemed and useful pastor. He 
is a man of varied and extensive information, an earnest and 
pleasing speaker and capable of doing great good. His de- 
parture from Mississippi was regretted, but he will do a good 
work in Texas. The presbytery in Mr. Grammar's ordination 
consisted of Revs. D. S. Snodgrass, Walter Hillman, C. S. 
McCloud and Theodore Whitfield. 

Baron DeKalb Gray was born seven miles northeast of 



312 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Waynesboro, Wayne county, Miss., June 18, 1855. His par- 
ents were Maj. John L. and Caroline Salter Gray. His mother 
died when he was only nine months old. His father married 
again and his step-mother is a devout Christian woman. He 
attended the neighborhood schools and thus received a good 
English education preparatory to entering college. His col- 
lege course was unforeseen by himself. He was converted in 
1871 under the preaching of Rev. J. W. Mitchell, of Mobile, 
who was missionary in the old Providence Association (includ- 
ing a few churches in Mississippi) and was baptized by him 
two miles from Waynesboro into the fellowship of Salem Bap- 
tist church. Very soon after his conversion he felt it to be his 
dutv to preach the "glorious gospel," and was licensed to 
preach in 1873. Through Rev. O. D. Eowen, one of the best 
friends he has ever known, he was induced to attend Missis- 
sippi College being aided by the churches at Shulenta and 
State Line for some time. This help he remembered with the 
profoundest gratitude and prays the blessings of God upon 
these helpers. He entered Mississippi College in January, 
1874, remaining four and a half years. This class consisted of 
P. H. Eager, J. A. Granberry and B. D. Gray. Messrs. Eager 
and Gray took the A. M. course, which if we mistake not, had 
never been taken before in the history of the college. In 
view of this fact to Mr. Eager was assigned the honor of de- 
livering the valedictory and Mr. Gray the honor of delivering 
the salutatory on commencement occasion. 

He spent one year in Madison county, Miss., in charge oi 
Mound Bluff and New Hope churches immediately after his 
graduation in June, 1878. In September, 1879, he entered 
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, 
where he remained four years, taking the full course, besides 
the outside course in Patristic Greek and Post-graduate Exe- 
gesis and German for a time. During his Seminary course he 
preached as supply for the Midway church, Ky., from Novem- 
ber, 1879, till May, 1880. He was pastor at Buffalo Lick, 
near Bagdad, Ky., from November, 1881, until October, 1882. 
He was pastor of East church, Louisville, Ky., from October, 
1882. till May, 1884. Determining to still further perfect his 
training he resigned the pastorate of East church in order to 
take a special course in moral philosophy and English at the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 313 

University of Virginia, but was persuaded by brethren to give 
that plan up and accept the pastorate of the church at Clinton, 
Miss. He entered upon his duties in this important pastorate 
in October, 1884, and continued in this work until January, 
1888. He then resigned the Clinton pastorate in order to 
accept the pastorate care of the Hazelhurst Baptist church. In 
this growing and bustling little city he began work in Janu- 
ary, 1888, and continued, with growing influence and power 
until April, 1893. While he was at Hazelhurst the church 
there built her magnificent brick church edifice at a cost of 
twelve thousand five hundred dollars exclusive of furnishings. 
During his pastorate at Hazelhurst, as had been the case at 
Clinton, he received many offers from other fields, but stead- 
fastly remained at Hazelhurst until the house of worship was 
built. A number of times the Convention Board Secretary- 
ship was offered to him, but he held on firmly to the pastorate. 
This decision to remain in the pastorate and to decline the 
secretaryship he does not regret. He was elected to this 
position in the face of his protest against being elected, but 
declined, and nominated Dr. A. V. Rowe for the place only a 
few months before leaving Mississippi. He was continuously 
a member of the Convention Board from its organization until 
he left the State, and the greater portion of the time was its 
recording secretary. He was likewise a member of the Board 
of Trustees of Mississippi College from the time of his Clinton 
pastorate until he resigned at Hazelhurst to leave Mississippi. 
In 1890 the honorary degree of D. D. was conferred upon him 
by the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College. 

In April, 1893, he accepted an invitation to the pastorate 
of the First Baptist church, Birmingham Alabama^ A writer 
in the "Examiner," Rev. J. A. French, says of Dr. Uray's pas- 
torate in Birmingham: "The work of Dr. Gray of the First 
church, Birmingham, grows pari passu with the pastor's in- 
creasing popularity." He feels that the most important work 
of his life now lies before him in this important pastorate, 
and in this work he is greatly encouraged and tile outlook be- 
fore him seems bright. He is comparatively a young man, 
now just in the zenith of his splendid powers, and if his life is 
spared will become one of the leading factors in Southern 
Baptist progress. . , , 



314 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

The most important event of his life, next to his conver- 
sion and call to the ministry, was the "paying of a hostage to 
fortune," when he was married December 9, 1884, to Miss 
Alma Ratliff, of Raymond, daughter of Capt. W. T. Ratliff, for 
more than twenty years president of the Board of Trustees of 
Mississippi College. She is a full graduate (A. B.) of Mary 
Sharpe College in the class of 1879 and of her Dr. Z. C. 
Graves, the famous president of the school, said: "She was 
the best logican and theologian I have ever taught." Dr. 
Gray says: "Whatever of success I have attained in my min- 
istry is due more to her than to any other person." 

While in Mississippi Dr. Gray was a member of the Cen- 
tennial committee on the Centennial of missions for the State. 
In this relation he did much to circulate information and liter- 
ature as to work of Baptists in general, and of Southern 
Baptists in particular, in the proclamation of the gospel among 
the nations. He is a man of fine culture, excellent spirit, and 
of great pulpit power, as well as a fine organizer and a man of 
good administrative ability. His going to Alabama is a dis- 
tinct loss to the pulpit of Mississippi. 

Charles Henry Green was born in Copiah county, Miss., 
March 31, 1801. He first went to school at Gillsburg College, 
Miss., and then entered Mississippi College and remained long 
enough to secure the degree of B. S. from that college. Hav- 
ing finished his collegiate course he entered the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary and spent two sessions there, 
extending from 1885 to 1S87. During this course he gradu- 
ated in the principal English branches of the course. He was 
ordained at Gillsburg, Miss., December 17, 1884. He was 
pastor at Worthville, Ky., from May, 1880, to January 1, 
1887, also at Bethel, Owen county, Ky., from May, 1886, to 
December, 1887. He was pastor of the church at Florence, 
Ky.. from February, 1887, to April, 1888. He was also pastor 
at Ludlow. Ky., from 1888 for several years following. Mr, 
Green is a young man of much energy and promise and if his 
life is spared will make his impress upon the communities 
where he labors. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 315 

John Jasper Green, son of John and Alice Green, was 
born in Clarke county, Miss., March 5, 1837. In 1850, with 
his parents he moved to Copiah county. His father was poor 
and afflicted and hence was unable to educate his son. He 
was, however, greatly blessed with pious parents who both by 
precept and example pointed their boy to the way of life. He 
was early impressed with the enormity of his sins and the 
great necessity of preparing to meet God. Often in solitude 
he wept and mourned over his sins. But it was not until in 
his sixteenth year that he was enabled to claim Christ as his 
Redeemer. In 1853 he publicly professed faith in Christ and 
was baptized into the fellowship of White Oak Baptist church, 
by Rev. Robert Curry. H.q was indeed very, very happy in 
the enjoyment of a bright hope and strong faith in Christ, 
and in trying to live a useful and Christian life. It was with 
joy he told to many what Christ had done for him. In January, 
1857, he entered a good school at Palestine, Hinds county, 
and was greatly aided in his studies and efforts for usefulness 
by the lamented and grand minister, Rev. W. B. Gallman. In 
August, 1858, Mr. Green, having received license to preach 
from White Oak church, and having been adopted as a bene- 
ficiary by the same church (White Oak), left Palestine and in 
the following October entered Mississippi College, where he 
remained a faithful and close student, preaching to Indian 
Creek church as pastor during his college course. He also 
preached in revival meetings with good success during his 
summer vacations until May 1, 1861, when he left Clinton with 
the Mississippi College Rifles to enter the Confederate service. 
His company was soon united with others, becoming Company 
E, in forming the Eighteenth Mississippi Regiment, and was 
engaged in the first battle of Manassas, and in that of Gettys- 
burg. Soon after these battles Mr. Green, for his faithful 
services and good qualifications, was promoted to the lieuten- 
ancy in his company. Owing to long protracted illness he 
requested to be, and was discharged from further military ser- 
vice. But after kind and good nursing at his parent's home in 
Mississippi, he again enlisted in the service and joined Com- 
pany L, of the Thirty-eighth Mississippi Regiment. After 
serving as lieutenant for a short time he was elected to the 
office of captain of his company, which position he held until 






3l6 MISSISSIPPfBAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the close of the "unpleasantness," with honor to himself and 
to his command. He was in many hard-fought battles, but 
only received two slight wounds. In the battle of Harrisburg 
he had his company as advance guard, and brought on the 
fight, and when the beloved and brave Col. McKey and all the 
regimental and company officers, with many private soldiers, 
had fallen, he assumed command of the shattered and discour- 
aged regiment and rallied the brave band within fifty yards of 
the enemy's breast works, and when ordered by his General 
to "charge the enemy," he replied: "General, my men have 
exhausted the last round of ammunition, but at your command 
we will charge with empty guns." During the war he held 
many successful revival meetings, kept up prayer-meeting in 
his command, and was the means of leading many brave sol- 
diers to Christ. At the close of the war he returned to Copiah 
county, Miss., became pastor of churches and made as brave 
a soldier for Christ as he did for the Confederacy. 

He has served as pastor these churches: White Oak, 
Pine Bluff, New Hope, Xew Zion, Indian Creek, Harmony, 
Brushy Fork, Bethany, New Providence, Piedmont, Philadel- 
phia, Mount Zion, Antioch, County Line, Pleasant Grove, 
Bethel, Steen's Creek, Mountain Creek, Dry Creek, Gum 
Grove, Palestine, Liberty — some of them he has served for 
many years. He has during these years of faithful service 
baptized about fifteen hundred people. At this time (Novem- 
ber, 1894\ he is pastor these four churches: Mount Zion, 
Pleasant Grove, Bethel and County Line, and is moderator 
or president of the Fair River Association. He has served as 
moderator of the Union and Strong River Associations. He 
was ordained to the full work of the ministry by Revs. W. W. 
Bolls, and W. F. Green, as presbytery at White Oak church 
the second Sundav in December. 1863. He was happily 
united in marriage December 3, 1863, to Miss Martha A. Ellis, 
daughter of the lamented Hon. G. W. Ellis. Six children are 
the fruit of this union, two of whom have crossed the "silent 
river." Mr. Green is now in the fifty-eighth year of his age, 
is strong and happy in his work. He is great in his goodness, 
and his name is the synonym for integrity. 

Theophilus Green. It is very generally known that 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 317 

Elder T. Green was killed by the cyclone at Beauregard, Miss., 
Sabbath, April 22d, 1883. He had preached that morning in 
the Baptist church there, of which he was pastor, and, between 
three and four o'clock in the evening, his spirit, with several, 
doubtless, of his congregation, was disembodied and returned 
to God who gave it. It is distressing to think that any irre- 
ligious persons should be thus "suddenly destroyed and that 
without remedy." But we can think of Brother Green as ol 
one dying calmly even in the storm. For his last words, as 
far as known, spoken to one who approached and asked if he 
could assist him, were, in substance: "Never mind me, I am 
mortally hurt; help others." Like his Lord, the good of 
others engaged his thoughts in his dying moments. Hence, 
though taken from this world as by "a chariot of fire and 
horses of fire," and going "by a whirlwind into Heaven"- — (2 
Kings 2:1) — still he calmly departed this life. But, as Elisha 
for. Elijah, we mourn his loss, and it is fitting we record a brief 
memoir of him and give some expression of our esteem for 
his character. There have been reasons for the delay in pre- 
paring this notice. The following statements, abbreviated, to 
save space, have been furnished the writer: Theophilus 
Green, son of John and Alice Green, was born in Clark 
county, Miss., 1843; removed with his parents to Copiah 
county, Miss., 1850 ; was blessed with faithful training by pious 
parents and Sabbath-school teachers; was baptized by his 
brother, Rev. Wm. Green, now of Illinois, and received into 
the fellowship of the White Oak Baptist church, Copiah 
county, at fourteen years of age, 1857 ; was, by this church, in 

1860, licensed to preach; entered Mississippi College, Clinton, 
Miss., but did not complete a full course of study there. In 

1861, left the college and went to live with his brother Wil- 
liam, at Fort Adams, Miss., devoting himself to close study 
and constant preaching, his youthful appearance, self-posses- 
sion and remarkably impressive delivery, soon made him a 
very popular preacher. In 1862 he was called, at a salary of 
fourteen hundred dollars, to Percy's Creek and Fort Adams 
churches, Wilkinson county, his brother William having re- 
signed there; was ordained in January, 1862, by Elders W T m. 

Green and ; gave entire satisfaction in his pastoral 

services, but that year resigned, at the call of patriotism, and 



318 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

enlisted a private soldier in Company E, Eighteenth Missis- 
sippi Regiment; served in this command under Gen. R. E. 
Lee, in Virginia, till the close of the war, being absent from 
active service only while disabled by a severe wound received 
in battle, and while a prisoner of war at Camp Chase, Ohio. 
A fellow soldier writes thus of him, "In the army, as at home, 
he was the same devout Christian; in battle a true soldier. 
He was apprehensive of danger, but never shrank from duty, 
no matter how great the peril." — (A. A. Lomax.) 

Such is an outline of twenty-two years of his life. The 
remaining eighteen cannot be too accurately sketched. A suf- 
ferer from the wound he had received, lie still fought the good 
fight as a soldier of Jesus Christ. He made his home again 
in Copiah county, became a member o^.the Strong River Bap- 
tist Association, its moderator, its leading minister for sev- 
eral years and did much to make it what it now is, one among 
the first in the State in contributing for missions and in every 
good work; was pastor at different times of Hopewell, Bethel, 
Sardis, Wesson and County Line churches in Copiah county, 
and of Palestine and Liberty, in Simpson (perhaps others), to 
which his labors were greatly blessed, and he was much en- 
deared; he did much other ministerial work. In 1867 he was 
happily married to Miss C. Sandifer, who now survives to 
mourn her loss. Four children dying in infancy are already 
in Heaven to welcome him home, and four promising sons 
are still with their mother. Two surviving brothers are 
preachers and there are other relatives distinguished for useful 
piety. Writing of such a man it will be allowed to exceed the 
limits of an ordinary obituary. As a man, a friend, a teacher 
and a preacher, his memory deserves to be cherished, and is 
fraught with useful lessons for the living. He was not without 
faults, for there are none faultless; but they were not often 
observed, were mostly negative and "leaned to virtue's side/' 
Wishing to avoid a strain of more indiscriminate eulogy, I can 
think of no more to say in his favor, if this be such, than that 
being a John, he was not a Paul; being our dear brother Offie, 
he could be no other. He was himself so sincere a friend to 
his friends, they have for him such charity, as would cOver for 
him a much greater multitude of sins than were to be seen in 
him. A few words of S. T. Coleridge written of Robert 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 319 

Southey, give my mental photograph of Brother Green better 
than any I can find of my own, "Always employed, his friends 
found him always at leisure. No less punctual in trifles, than 
steadfast in the performance of highest duties, he inflicted none 
of those small pains and discomforts, which irregular men 
scatter about them, and which in the aggregate, so often be- 
come formidable obstacles both to happiness and utility; while 
on the contrary, he bestowed all the pleasures and inspired all 
that ease of mind on those around him, or connected with him, 
which perfect consistency, and, if such a word might be 
framed, absolute reliability, equally in small as in great con- 
cerns, cannot but inspire and bestow; when this, too, is soft- 
ened without being weakened, by kindness and gentleness." 
Such was Brother Green to me, and it is as a friend of exceed- 
ing friendliness, I would emphasize his character, for it was in 
this his life's work was wrought, and it made him a power for 
good among us. Too many in aspiring to greatness forget 
that kindness and greatness only constitute Christian great- 
ness. Mr. Green did, first and last, much school-teaching, and 
in this was successful and popular; no teacher in Copiah 
county, perhaps, was ever more so. He had the art to govern 
and the tact to instruct children, and ever won their respect 
and love. As a Sabbath-school superintendent and teacher 
he had few superiors. Children loved him and were delighted 
to have him address them. And he was fond of addressing 
them, and could have truly said with Richter, "I love God and 
little children." They were quick to recognize him their 
friend; so indeed was all, old as well as young, who made his 
acquaintance. Contrary to the curse of Ishmael, he was not 
a wild man, his hand was with every man to do him good, and 
every man's hand was with him. He dwelt in peace and love 
in the presence of all his brethren; and it is not known that 
he had an enemy. An affection of his throat, not well under- 
stood, caused by his wound in the war, interfered with his 
preaching for many of the last years of his life. It became at 
length exceedingly difficult for him to swallow his necessary 
food. He grew emaciated and feeble, and had the prospect of 
a slow and painful death. He restored again to school teach- 
ing, but the employment was much against him. He tried 
merchandizing, first at Wesson and then at Crystal Springs, 



320 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

and for a time with success, but abandoned the business. 
Last year he made a trip to Texas for the benefit of his health, 
but returned to his family not improved. He then took an 
agency for selling" books; several styles of fine Bibles, and 
other books, and was very successful, finding the employment 
to agree better with his health than any other he had tried. In 
all this he could not give up his loved employment of preach- 
ing. His preaching was earnest, honest, impressive. He 
preached what he believed and loved, "the glorious gospel of 
the blessed God," and it reached the hearts of many, being 
the utterance of his own. He was called to serve the church 
at Beauregard, one Sabbath a month this year, and accepted. 
It was at his third appointment there, I think, that the cyclone 
came, and "he was not, for God took him." He did not write 
his sermons, but made brief outlines 'sometimes, and in his 
pockets after his death, was found a slip of paper with heads 
of discourse in pencil from the text, Isa. 41:21, which he had 
probably used that day. If so he addressed the irreligious 
on that occasion in expostulation with them for their irreligion. 
To those who heard him, that survive, "he being dead, yet 
speaketh." To us all, his life now says, "Follow me even as I 
followed Christ." His body was buried in the grave-yard at 
Hopewell church in the presence of a large concourse, after 
services with remarks by Rev. A. J. Miller, Sorsby and the 
writer of this. Another sufferer by the same cyclone at a dif- 
ferent locality was buried at the same time. It was generally 
said, "A good man is gone." Earth is poorer, but heaven is 
richer, with another attraction to draw us thither. — W. H. 
Head. 

C. C. Greer. United with a missionary Baptist church 
the first Lord's day in May, 1880, and was soon made a 
deacon. He was licensed to preach the first Lord's day in 
August, 1880, and was solemnly ordained to the full work of 
the ministry on the second Sabbath of the same month. Soon 
thereafter he was called to the pastorate of Spring Port Baptist 
church, the same church that ordained him and of which he 
was a member. The next church calling him to its pastoral 
services was Antioch Baptist church, situated in the western 
portion of Panola county, and two miles west of Courtland, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 321 

which is on the M. and T. Division of the I. C. railway. He 
did some mission work at Tucawa Springs during the four 
years he served Antioch church. He preached some for Troy 
church, situated eight miles east of Batesville, Miss., on the M. 
and T. railway. Besides endeavoring to serve the churches 
he did a great deal of preaching at school houses and churches 
through Panola and adjoining counties. Later than this he 
went to West Tennessee to live. In the year 1890 he went to 
Western Texas and located. He is now (1894) engaged in 
preaching to churches in Bell and Coryell counties. His ad- 
dress is Moffat, Texas. 

Alvin Gressett,the founder of the "Southern Baptist," was 
born in Perry county, Mississippi, in 1829, but moved with his 
parents in his boyhood to Lauderdale county. He was raised 
on a farm and did the usual farm labor of a farmer's son. In 
1862 he was ordained to the full work of the ministry by 
Beulah Baptist church, Newton county, the venerable Rev. N. 
L. Clarke, and Rev. John Harrington constituting the presby- 
tery. Immediately after his ordination he was called to the 
pastorate of Beulah church, and served it acceptably for nearly 
fifteen years, baptizing over two hundred persons into its 
fellowship. He also served other churches as pastor and was 
successful in his ministry above the average country pastor. 
His favorite pulpit theme was salvation by grace through faith ; 
and in treating this subject he often became pathetic and 
moved his congregation deeply. In 1872 he moved to Meri- 
dian, but continued in the work of the pastorate until 1887. 
He began the publication of the "Southern Baptist" newspaper 
in the city of Meridian in 1875. It was at first a small sheet 
issued in the interest of morality and religion as believed and 
practiced by the Baptists. It was conceived and projected 
solely by Mr. Gressett, who was without previous experience 
as a journalist and writer. Though unpretentious in its be- 
ginning, it soon became the medium of communication for the 
Baptists of Meridian, and of East Mississippi and finally be- 
came the organ of the General Association, a large and re- 
spectable body of Baptists, composed of churches in East and 
Southeast Mississippi. The General Association did not, 
and does not now, affiliate with the Mississippi Baptist State 



322 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Convention in its denominational work. Those Baptists com- 
posing the General Association did not approve the methods 
of the Convention in the conduct and management of its af- 
fairs. The chief differences between them at the time the 
"Southern Baptist" began its career were, or grew out of the 
methods in use by the Convention of raising money to carry 
on its work by or through paid agents, and the importance 
it attached to ministerial education. The General Association 
was opposed to employing paid agents to solicit contributions 
for missions and other causes, and whilst not opposing min- 
isterial education, believed that the Convention attached too 
much importance to it. The "Southern Baptist," under the 
editorial management of Mr. Gressett, espoused the views of 
the General Association upon these questions, and under his 
management the paper attained a higher degree of prosperity 
and influence than was anticipated by its most sanguine 
friends. 

Mr. Gressett is a self-educated man, and possesses strong 
native powers of perception, and untiring energy. He is an 
astute judge of human nature, a good financier, and hence a 
safe man. He is of medium height, rather slim and spare in 
stature and physique. Of late years his health has been pre- 
carious, and by consequence has impaired his usefulness as a 
preacher, though he has done much evangelistic work, for 
which in some essential qualities he seems well fitted. On 
November 16, 1848, he was happily united in marriage with 
Miss Christina Gilbert, of Xewton county, and they have 
reared a large family of sons and daughters, who are an honor 
to their parents, to the State and to society. The "Southern 
Baptist,"' founded by him in 1875, was consolidated with the 
"Baptist Record" in 1887. and the two were issued as one. 
under the name of the "Southern Baptist Record." until 1892, 
when it was changed to the "Baptist Record." Mr. Gressett 
still resides in the city* of Meridian, honored and respected by 
all who know him : and thousrh his health will not permit his 
entering the pastorate, he still preaches when his health per- 
mits. And, like the battle-scarred veteran, he stands readv to 
obey the summons of the Great Captain of his salvation to 
come up hisrher. and when it does come, he can sing: 
— Contributed by Capt. W. H. Hardy. 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 323 

J. A. Hackett, D. D., 

This widely known, useful 
and highly esteemed min- 
ister of Jesus Christ was 
born in Crawford county, 
111., October 13, 1832 ; 
When only three years of 
age he came with his par- 
ents to Madison county, 
Miss. , where he grew to 
manhood. He was edu- 
cated in the common 
schools of the county, 
and at Mississippi College, 
where he was at the begin- 
ning of the war, preparing 

for the ministry. He was 
REV. J. A. HACKETT, D. D. , , , j td 1 

brought up under Jredo- 

baptist influences, and for years was a member of the Metho- 
dist church. In his eighteenth year he was converted and 
made a public profession of faith in Jesus. Here came one of 
those real struggles which come to every one raised under such 
influences when the light begins to try to break through the 
clouds of early teaching and early associations. After a long 
and pains-taking investigation of Bible doctrines, which 
brought thorough conviction of the truth, he broke away 
from his Methodist moorings. He united with the Jerusa- 
lem Baptist church in Scott county, Miss., and was baptized 
by Rev. W. D. Denson in August, 1855. 

He entered the Confederate army as a private soldier and 
was a member of the Eighth Mississippi Regiment, of the 
famous Barksdale, afterwards, Humphries Brigade. In this 
regiment he served the first two years as a soldier and the last 
two as a chaplain. He was disabled by a w T ound received in 
the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 11, 1862, from 
which he has never fully recovered. He participated in most 
of the great battles fought by the Army of Northern Virginia, 
either as a soldier or as a chaplain, and in many of the relig- 
ious revivals that characterized the army at that time. Dur- 
ing the present year (1894) Captain James Dinkins, of Mem- 



3^4 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

phis, division passenger agent of the Yazoo & Mississippi 
Valley railway, told the writer that he knew the war record 
of Dr. Hackett, that he had been with him through those 
scenes which tried men's souls, and that all the way through 
Alex. Hackett proved himself to be a brave and true man 
amidst the trials and dangers of army life. Captain Dink- 
ins spoke heartily and enthusiastically of our brother's deport- 
ment and bearing and expressed the warmest friendship and 
admiration for him. The subject of our sketch was ordained 
to the full work of the ministry at Canton, Miss., January 3, 
1863, Revs. D. E. Burns, T. J. Deane and W. W. Keep being 
the ordaining presbytery. His theological training was ob- 
tained in camp, where he had no book but the Bible, no teacher 
but the Holy Spirit and no stimulating model except the great 
Galilean preacher, the Master himself. 'He has been heard to 
say that, in the absence of training in a theological institution, 
this privilege of being shut up alone with God's word and 
soldier life was one of the greatest value to him. It gave him 
fixed and definite views of God's word — having studiel 
them out himself — and a good insight into human character. 
When blessed peace returned to our Sunny South he 
entered fully and regularly into the work of the ministry. 
After a few months spent in evangelistic work he entered 
regularly into the pastorate. For two years and a half his 
work was with country churches, namely, Jerusalem, in Scott 
county, Ogden, Bethel, Concord and Hebron in Yazoo 
county. On July 1, 1868, he became pastor of the Baptist 
church of Jackson, Miss. While in this pastorate, on 8th of 
April, 1869, he was married to Miss Anna Maria Storr in the 
city of New Orleans, La., Dr. John C. Carpenter officiating. 
After four and a half years of successful work in the Jackson 
pastorate he resigned. During the next four years he was 
pastor of the Crystal Springs, Hazelhurst and Clinton 
churches. In 1876 he resigned the pastorate of the church 
at Clinton in the interests of the " Mississippi Baptist Record," 
the newly established organ of the State convention. It was 
deemed best for the editor of the new paper to live in Clinton 
and publish it there, and as it could not be expected that the 
paper for years would more than make its own expenses, if 
indeed it would do thatj it was necessary for the editor to have 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 32$ 

a support from some other source. Hence the writer states 
that Dr. Hackett resigned at Clinton to leave that pastorate 
for the incoming editor and so in the interest of the "Record/' 
in January, 1877, he accepted an invitation to the pastorate 
of the First Baptist church, Shreveport, La. While in this 
pastorate the first great trouble of his life came upon him in the 
death of his loving, devout and sympathizing wife. After 
fifteen years of successful co-operative work this good woman, 
who had been the mother of five children, went to her heavenly 
home, leaving him and four little children in the hands of a 
provident God. While pastor at Shreveport he was honored by 
Keachi College with the honorable degree of doctor of divinity. 
For eight years he was vice-president of the Foreign Mission 
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for Louisiana. 
During this time also the woman's work of the State was 
organized, largely through his instrumentality, and was well 
advanced. Their contributions went up from about six hun- 
dred dollars to about fifteen hundred dollars yearly. His 
Shreveport church also during his pastorate built one of the 
handsomest and most convenient houses of worship then west 
of the Mississippi river. During his pastorate there he was 
unanimously invited to the pastorate of the Baptist church 
in Columbus, Miss., his native State. This invitation, how- 
ever, he was constrained to decline. This was in 1881 just 
after the resignation of the young and talented Henry W. 
Battle in the city of Columbus. Eight years of good and 
successful service closed his work with this beloved Shreve- 
port church. In the latter part of 1884 he resigned his work 
in order to accept the pastorate of the First Baptist church, 
San Antonio, Texas. At the beginning of this pastorate, 
November 12, 1884, he was married to Miss Emma J. Gard- 
ner, the well known and successful city missionary of the 
First Baptist church, and of the Home Mission Board of the 
Southern Baptist Convention, Rev. M. C. Cole, the pastor of 
the First church, officiating. This excellent Christian woman, 
who is the mother of three children, has been a true wife, and 
an intelligent and efficient co-worker, and still continues to 
be the joy of his life and the light of his household. After 
three years of hard, though good service with this church, 
and with failing health, he returned to Mississippi. Back in his 



326 .MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

native State he purchased an interest in the Baptist " Record ' 
and became associated with Dr. J. B. Gambrell in the editorial 
management of that paper. Upon the retirement of Dr. 
Gambrell, three years later, from all business and editorial 
connection with the paper, Dr. Hackett became editor-in- 
chief, and after a heroic struggle with a heavy debt and numer- 
ous discouragements he has at last brought the "Record" 
through to a solid financial basis. While performing this her- 
culean labor as editor, he has also been the successful pastor 
of the churches — three of the best village churches in the 
State — at Forest, Enterprise and Shuqualak. 

As a preacher, Dr. Hackett is warmly and thoroughly 
devoted to the grand old Pauline doctrines of the Bible, the 
good old paths, in which there is safe walking and rest for the 
soul. These doctrines and blessed truths he preaches with 
great earnestness and fervor and in a style very pleasing and 
attractive. He has no patience nor sympathy with the new 
chaffy preaching and the loose methods of evangelism now so 
rampant in the country. He is firmly convinced that the 
plain old truths of salvation by grace through faith in a cruci- 
fied Redeemer are still the power of God unto salvation, that 
their proclamation is the supreme need of this age and that 
upon him as a minister of Jesus rests the obligation of giving 
all possible emphasis to these truths in his preaching. Were 
he to give himself wholly to the work of the ministry there 
would be no better or more successful preacher in the State. 
His preaching is of such a character as to produce solid results, 
and even though almost entirely apart from pastoral labor, 
as it has been since he returned to us, it has been productive 
of fruitful results. 

As a religious editor in Mississippi, his work has been 
greatly hampered, and environed with peculiar difficulties. 
When he was left in charge of the office as sole editor he found 
a debt on his hands of four thousand dollars. He has been 
obliged to economize in every possible way and cut off every 
possible expense, living entirely upon the income from his 
churches in order to reduce this debt. Xow (1894) it is prac- 
tically paid and every effort will be made to improve the paper. 
Another difficulty with which he had to contend as editor 
was to engineer the "Record" through the season of the stormy 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 327 

discussion of the college-removal question. In .association 
with him in an editorial capacity the writer has found Dr. 
Hackett to be a man of true nobility of soul, the very embodi- 
ment of honor, and anxious always to do what is fair and 
right and equitable in all business and editorial relations. If 
the denomination in the State will rally to the suport of the 
"Record" as they should there would be improvement all along 
the line in its work. Dr. Hackett is a forcible and plain 
writer, getting into the heart of a subject and then expressing 
himself in vigorous and sturdy English. He is fearless in his 
criticism of popular evils and of wrong methods and measures 
in religious work. 

Hiram T. Haddick. It is eminently proper that, at least, 
the name of this godly and consecrated young man, who hero- 
ically fell at his post of duty, have a place among the noblest 
of the noble ministers of this State. He was born in Warren 
county, Miss., May 10, 1845. His literary training was re- 
ceived at Mississippi College. After pursuing his studies at 
Mississippi College he entered the Southern Baptist Theolog- 
ical Seminary, Greenville, S. C, September, 1872, and contin- 
ued there two sessions, during which time he graduated in the 
greater number of the English branches. He was ordained 
to the full work of the ministry before going to the seminary. 
He became pastor of the Grenada Baptist church in 1871, and 
continued in this pastorate until August, 1878, during which 
time he took his course of Biblical study in the seminary. He 
was of a lively and jovial disposition and made many friends 
in Greenville among the students and citizens of the place. 
He was a preacher of great promise and consecration, and 
had his life been spared he would have taken rank with any 
in the State. His people in Grenada were very much attached 
to him and he to them. His health was always frail. In the 
summer of 1878, when the black wings of that terrible yellow 
fever scourge spread over his beloved city, he had already 
gone away for the purpose of recuperating his health. While 
he was away news came to him of the breaking out of the dire 
epidemic. Moved with the feeling that he ought to be with 
his people during the epidemic, contrary to the judgment of 



328 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

his best friends, he returned in order to be with them, to visit 
the sick and bury the dead. After reaching Grenada he wrote 
to his friend and neighboring pastor, H. F. Sproles, of Car- 
rollton, that he was acting upon convictions of duty, that he 
might die, but if so, he preferred to die in the line of duty, 
rather than live by fleeing from it. He did die. He fell a 
victim to yellow fever in Grenada, August 28, 1878, universally 
lamented in the State, a true and noble martyr to a strong 
conviction of duty. The writer knew and loved Haddick in 
the seminan- and in the pastorate and places this spray of ev- 
ergreen upon his grave to-day. 

Moses Hadley. This pioneer minister in the southwest- 
ern portion of the State, located within the bounds of the Mis- 
sissippi Association in about the year' 1806, and labored with 
much zeal and ability for twelve years, in Wilkinson and ad- 
jacent counties. He was held in the highest esteem by his 
brethren as "is seen in the fact that he was chosen moderator 
of the Association at its second annual session, when both 
David Cooper and Thomas Mercer were present. In 1810 he 
wrote the circular letter of the body on religious declension, 
an able document, in which he treats of the causes and cure in 
a forcible manner. Tn 1872 he wrote again on 'Union of 
Churches.' The same year he was sent to Opelousas, Louis- 
iana, to ordain Mr. Willis and constitute the First church in 
Louisiana. He was, in 1817, one of a committee to write a 
summary of discipline for the churches. He died in 1818, 
much regretted by his brethren." (Bap. Encyc. p. 484.) In 
the minutes of the Association of 1818 occurs this testimonial: 
'•Resolved, That this Association express their high regard 
for the venerable character of their worthy brother, Moses 
Hadley, deceased, that they duly appreciate his past labors in 
the churches, which now regret his departure as a serious loss. 
A valuable life, spent in the vineyard of the Lord, left the 
world with comfort and in hope of immortal gain. Blessed is 
the dead who die in the Lord ; he shall rest from all his labors. 
Our loss is his gain." 

William Halbert, "one of the only two surviving minis- 
ters who were in the organization of the Columbus Associa- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 329 

tion, is venerable in years, pious, earnest and zealous, and has 
been very useful. He was instrumental in the organization 
of the churches, among others, at Prairie Grove, May hew 
Prairie and Border Springs, baptizing the first person who 

united with the latter church, a Mrs. , sister of Senator 

Adams, of Mississippi. In administering this baptism he bor- 
rowed a suit from a corpulent Presbyterian minister to whom 
he remarked as he came out of the water : 'As you will not go 
into the water, I have taken your clothes in.' Recently, in 
connection with Rev. W. C. Smith, he re-organized old Har- 
mony, at Cobb's Switch, which was then aided by the mission- 
ary. In his views he is a 'primitive Baptist/ but has been for 
many years an active pastor in the Association. At its meet- 
ing with Bethel he addressed it, by request, giving some rem- 
iniscences of the past, during which he was so overcome by 
feeling that he could not proceed. All believe him to be a 
good man." — Hist. Columbus Association/ p. 124. Since the 
above was published, in 1881, this good old man has crossed 
over the river, full of days and having performed much service 
in the Lord's earthly kingdom. 

Isham Anderson Hailey, was born in Elbert county, 
Georgia, August 11, 1849. He came to Newton county, Miss., 
December, 1866. He received his collegiate education in 
Mississippi College, taking the A. B. course in that institution 
by June, 1876. He then went to the Southern Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary and studied there from 1879 to 1881, marrying 
there early in 1881. He graduataed in all the English branches 
of the seminary and took in New Testament Greek. He was or- 
dained by Beulah church, Newton county, December 26, 1874, 
Revs. N. L. Clark, W. L. Phillips and L. B. Fancher being the 
presbytery. In 1877 he was principal of the preparatory depart- 
ment of Mississippi College. He was pastor at Utica, Miss., 
from January, 1876, to September, 1879; of Chapel Hill, 1876 
to 1879; of Harmony, 1877. For four months in 1880 
he was missionary pastor at Handsboro, Biloxi, and Bay St. 
Louis, Miss. He was missionary pastor at Scranton, Moss 
Point and Ocean Springs, from March, 1881, to January, 1883, 
under the supervision of the State Mission Board. He was 
then pastor at Danville, 111., from October, 1883, to October, 



33Q 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



1887. Leaving this field he became pastor at Tuscola and 
Bourbon, Illinois, where he was earnestly engaged in 1890. 
He is a man of fine ability and culture, and an acceptable min- 
ister of Tesus Christ. 




REV. O. L. HAILEY, D. D. 



Orren Liuco Hailey* 

D. D., the subject of this 
sketch, is a fair illustra- 
tion of his times. He was 
born in Fayette county, 
Tenn., June 21, 1852, and 
lived on the farm till he 
was of age. His father, 
a well-to-do farmer, had 
not had educational ad- 
vantages, but was a man 
of strong common sense, 
and tremendous force of 
will. His mother, nat- 
urally a strong, but was a 
very devout Christian, 
woman. She was twice 
married, and ( )rren Liucc 
was the third child, and 
second son of the second 
marriage. There were 



five children by the first and ten by the second marriage. 
Broken up by security debt, the father, L. S. Hailey, had just 
recovered when " the war" came on, and he was crippled finan- 
cially again. In this struggle to care for a large family, the 
boys were kept hard at work on the farm, going to the country 
schools in winter and a little while in summer. Orren being 
somewhat apt was put to school in his fourth year and learned 
to spell and read rapidly. Being so small, he was the teacher's 
pet, and was often called on to " show off" to the visitors. 
How much this has affected the after-life cannot be told. But 
it was not without its consequences. 

At the close of the war the young man found himself 
grown in stature but at a child's period of advancement. He 
begged his father for an education. It was agreed that the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 331 

father would bear the expenses of one session, and the son 
should leave his horse, bridle and saddle and his cotton crop 
to the father. So on the 29th of August, 1873, the young man, 
wholly inexperienced in the ways of the world, left the farm 
for McKenzie College, at McKenzie, Tenn., Irby and Randle, 
principals. It was his first ride on a railroad train. And no 
doubt furnished amusement enough to his fedow passengers. 

Religious Experiences: From early boyhood he had 
been a thoughtful child and when but twelve years of age. 
felt the conviction of sin, and a desire for salvation. And at 
the invitation went " forward to the mourner's bench." Under 
the ill-advisement of a good Methodist sister who meant it all 
well, he made a profession of religion. In an hour the dark- 
ness shut in. He knew he had lied in proclaiming himself a 
child of God, and felt greatly more the child of the devil than 
before. Then came the dark period of life. For seven years 
in agony, he wrestled and prayed and suffered. False teaching 
caused untold sorrow and suffering. If some one who knew 
the gospel and could understand the temperament of a very 
cautious and a very sensitive nature had only come his way. 
But, as it was, he was left to writhe and struggle alone. It 
was in the year 1869, in August, at Mt. Moriah Church, Fayette 
county, Meredith Neal and R. A. Coleman were conducting 
a meeting. After many weary days and nights, it happened 
on this wise: During prayer at night, before the sermon, 
he kneeled down in the audience and resolved never to arise 
till the question of eternal life or eternal death was settled. 
He had not long to wait when he relinquished all part in it, 
and left it all and himself in the hands of God. It was then 
that he joyfully realized that he was in the hands of the 
Lord, and had been for years. He united with that church at 
that meeting. Soon after he transferred his membership to 
Liberty church. From the beginning he was an active worker 
in church, prayer meeting and Sunday School. And some- 
times he taught the public school of his district. It did not 
take very learned teachers then. 

At McKenzie he shot up from the primary grades to take 
the head of his class in Latin (Sallust), mathematics (algebra 
and geometry) and some of the sciences; and was recognized 
in his society as a debater that none might contemn. The 



332 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

professors must have seen the buddings of the coming man, 
for they yielded to every application for advancement. When 
he left, he stood easily the first among his fellows. 

That was the beginning, where should he find the end? 
lie had no money, and but little experience. The school room 
was his fort, and he made the most of it. After teaching in 
summer, he would enter college a month late, and then by extra 
exertion catch his classes, and come out on examination day 
the gailiest of the crew. 

At Henderson, Tenn., he spent three years with Prof. G. 
M. Savage, and much of the time he paid his way by doing 
janitor's work, surveying the neighboring farms for their 
owners, and helping to survey Chester county. 

The finish was made at the Southwestern Baptist Univer- 
sity, Jackson, Tenn. Though a student of the University 
he would not accept the offers of the Board, but nerved him- 
self to make it through unhelped. This he did, and he has 
ever since been glad he did. He now thinks that any worthy 
young man can get an education if he desires it, and that with- 
out anybody's help. He took A. M. at Henderson, A. B. at 
Jackson, which was afterwards made A. M. by that institution. 
His graduation day was a grand day. He was made saluta- 
torian for his class, though a one year man. He delivered 
his salutatory in Latin, and with a loyal son's heart he led 
his mother and father *o their seats thai day. They had come 
from the farm to see their boy graduate. 

After graduation the young man who had found it so 
hard to win bread and clothes while a student, found four 
lucrative positions offered him. He accepted a position in 
the Peabody High School at Trenton. Soon the neighbor- 
ing churches sought the services of the licensed preacher. 
Hickory Grove, four miles away, was his first pastorate. That 
church called for his ordination, much to his consternation. 
In May, 1870, a year after his graduation, he was ordained 
at Trenton. Then other churches called him. He did full 
work in the school room and preached Saturday and Sunday 
to each of four churches. This enabled him to pay all the 
money he had borrowed in order to complete his education. 
He looked the world in the face and stood right proudly erect 
as he said, "I owe no man anything, but to love him." 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 333 

The Seminary: Our subject felt that any man ought to 
make full use of all his opportunities if he was to preach the 
gospel. He declined re-election to his professorship in the 
school, resigned all his churches, declined another field offer- 
ing a salary of $1,500, and, with about money enough to pay 
traveling expenses, went to Louisville to the seminary. He also 
went to God on his knees in his room to ask God to open the 
way. Almost the same day came a request to come to Mt. 
Pleasant church, in Shelby county, and he did not leave its 
care till he tore himself away and nearly tore his own heart out, 
to leave after his graduation. Other churches sought his 
services, so that in the senior year he had three churches with 
ten appointments a month. He graduated in six studies the 
third year but did not neglect his churches. In June, 1884, 
he took the degree of full graduate from the Seminary, feeling 
more surprised than ever that a farmer's son unaided could 
do this. No, not unaided, God had proved the proverb, and 
" helped him who tried to help himself." He generously gave 
way his Kentucky work, though four important fields sought 
him, and went to Aberdeen, Miss. He felt that other students 
could reach those fields. A year at Aberdeen showed the 
climate unfriendly, and he accepted a call to the mission work 
in Knoxville, Tenn., where in a nine-year pastorate he suc- 
ceeded in gathering a membership of 375, a Sunday school 
of 525, and the erection of the Second Baptist church, partially 
completed, the largest, and in many respects the handsomest 
and best located church in the city. On Oct. 14, 1885, he 
married Nora Graves, eldest daughter of Dr. J. R. Graves, of 
Memphis. This brought him into relation to "The Baptist," 
and so resulted in his becoming half owner and joint-editor 
of that paper, when it was consolidated with the "Reflector." 
This did not take him from his pastorate, though greatly in- 
creasing his labors. In addition he served a country church 
four miles out, while he kept up his regular work at the 
Second church. He was made moderator, then clerk and 
treasurer and colporteur of his association, holding the last 
three offices all at once, and was secretary and statistical secre- 
tary of the Baptist State Convention. 

Corresponding Secretary: When the State Convention 
started their Sunday School an4 colportage work, he w$s 



334 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

called to the secretaryship, and after a successful year, resigned 
to accept the church at Oxford, Miss. This was partly in 
order to do some literary work. He has issued a tract — 
" Why They did not Join the Methodists'' — which has attracted 
much attention. The first edition of 3000 being sold in nine 
months. He has in press a new book — " A Thousand Ques- 
tions Answered," being a compilation of questions and answers 
from "The Baptist" — and is now engaged upon the " Life of 
Dr. J. R. Graves." It will be seen that he is not an idler at 
least. Just at the prime of life, he throws his whole energies 
into the tasks before him. Mississippi College, Clinton, Miss., 
conferred the honorary degree of D. D. on him in 1894. 

While this book was in press, he resigned the Oxford 
church and took half interest in "American Baptist Flag," at 
St. Louis, Mo. 

William Hale. This pioneer minister was born in David- 
son county, Tenn., July 9, 1801. He came to Mississippi in 
1835, being already a preacher, having commenced preaching 
at the age of nineteen. Soon after coming to the State he or- 
ganized Philadelphia church. Subsequently he organized five 
other churches. In 1839 he assisted in the organization of 
the Chickasaw Association in the northern part of the State. 
"He was a man of strong native abilities, and with his co-la- 
borer. Rev. Martin Ball, abounded in evangelistic labors." 
Although he had no educational advantages he was a power 
for good and did a great work for the Master. He died in 
Coahoma county, Miss., Sept. 21, 1855. 

James Q. Hall. From Dr. Joseph H. Borum's "Sketches" 
of Tennessee Baptist preachers we copy this sketch of one of 
Mississippi's pioneer preachers: "Rev. James G. Hall was 
born in Currituck county, X. C November 14, 1801; and at 
the age of six years was left an orphan under the care of his 
pious and devoted mother. At the age of thirteen, his mother 
married again, and for a short time, until he was sent to 
school, he resided with his step-father (one of the best of step- 
fathers). At the age of fourteen he was sent to the academy 
at Fdenton, X. C. and while there, in his sixteenth year, em- 
braced the religion of Jesus. He had from his earliest recol- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 335 

lections been the subject of religious impressions. His moth- 
er's instructions and influence was such that he often felt the 
necessity of religion; but the love of sin not being killed in 
his heart he was under the influence of sin and the world until 
May, 1817, in his sixteenth year, when the Holy Spirit brought 
such deep conviction of his sins and of his lost condition that 
he was led to Christ. The conversion of a schoolmate 
brought home to his heart the instructions and prayers of a 
pious mother, and brought him to feel that he was one of the 
greatest of sinners; others at the same time became deeply 
impressed and found peace in Jesus; but he felt that he had 
so long sinned against the Savior, that he had waded through 
a mother's prayers and entreaties and slighted the offer of 
mercy, that there was no hope for him. To him the way of 
salvation was plain for others, but he had so grieved and re- 
sisted the Spirit, and sinned against the dear Savior, that there 
was no mercy for him. He had no desire to go back to the 
world, for that was to perish, and all he could do was to lie at 
the foot of the cross and plead for mercy. In his deep distress 
and almost despair, at early dawn*Tie bowed at the mercy seat, 
and while pleading with God for mercy, the text, "Now ye are 
clean through the word I have spoken unto you," etc., came 
with consoling influence to his heart, and there was a heavenly 
calm to his feelings. He felt that he loved, and could trust 
in the precious Redeemer; that there was hope even for him. 
While he felt the comfort of hope in the mercy of God, he did 
not think at the time that he was converted, for he thought 
that so great a sinner as he was could not be converted with- 
out hearing a voice, seeing a wonderful light, or being com- 
pelled to shout aloud the praises of God. But conversation 
with other Christians led him to examine the Scriptural evi- 
dences of a change of heart, which led him to believe he had 
passed from death unto life. He was comforted with a calm 
frame of mind, trusting alone in the Lord Jesus Christ. With 
this little hope, as he called it, he desired to profess Christ; and 
on the first Sunday in June, 1817, he was received and bap- 
tized into the fellowship of the Baptist church at Edenton, N. 
C, by Rev. B. T. Farnsworth. Rev. O. D. Brown, of Wash- 
ington City, delivered an address on baptism, after which he 
and thirteen others were baptized in the bay at Edenton in the 



336 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

presence of a large audience. On the same day he partook of 
the Lord's Supper, and after retiring- to his room, reflecting 
upon the solemn profession he had made; suddenly the im- 
pression was made on his mind, and had he heard a voice an 
impression could not have been more vividly and forcibly im- 
pressed on his mind: "Now you have made a profession of 
religion, and in a little while you will go back to the world 
again and be more wicked than ever." His soul responded: 
"Oh, shall I ever go back to the world and bring a reproach 
upon the cause of a precious Savior?" His feelings were in- 
describable, and for a few days he was in the deepest distress; 
when the blessed Comforter whispered: "God hath sent 
forth his Spirit into your heart, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." 
This text and a hymn on adoption brought a sweet sense of 
his acceptance with God and made him very happy, and for 
some time his sky was cloudless and his soul so sweetly trust- 
ing in Jesus that not a wave of trouble rolled across his peace- 
ful heart. He had no family cares, and his comfort and joy 
were so great that he thinks he was as happy as mortals well 
can be in this life, and he thinks God gave him this foretaste 
of his love to fit him for the trials that were soon to await him, 
for in about ten days his guardian, who had been absent sev- 
eral weeks, returned, sent for him at his office, and accosted 
him, almost in the very language of the temptation, saying 
that he had acted foolishly, and, "that in a little while he would 
go back to the world and be more wicked than ever," and told 
him of all the drunken and disorderly professors of religion he 
could think of; and told him further, that in a few days he 
would send him home and as soon as his clothes could be 
made he would take him to Chapel Hill to school. His first 
temptation had prepared him for this trial of his faith, and in 
a few days he was on his way to his mother's, and immediate 
steps were taken to prepare him to leave for Chapel Hill. 
While at home his dear mother and step-sister (who had re- 
cently professed religion) gave him all the encouragement 
they could, and he was doubtless the daily subject of their 
prayers. He was taken to Chapel Hill, and, regardless of his 
protest, placed at the boarding house of an infidel, filled with 
skeptical and ungodly boarders. Immediately after supper 
the fiddle was introduced and a dance commenced, which was 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 337 

generally kept up till nine o'clock. His room was over this 
dancing room, the stairway going up out of the room. This 
state of things was not congenial to his feelings, nor favora- 
ble to study, and was also unfavorable to devotion. After a 
few weeks, by the advice of his teacher, he changed his board- 
ing place to the house of Rev. A. W. Clopton, principal of the 
preparatory school, and then a voting minister. Mr. Clop- 
ton offered him all the instruction and aid in his power, and 
his acts of kindness will never be forgotten. He was required 
to study very hard as his class were more advanced than he, 
and the loss of the society of his young religious friends, the 
indifference to religion among his fellow students and delv- 
ing over Latin, were not favorable to him spiritually; and, al- 
though he had no desire to go back to the world or to engage 
in the amusements of his schoolmates, yet his heart became 
cold and lukewarm, and he did not think that any Christian 
ever felt as he did. Under these feelings of despondency he 
had two or three times resolved to tell the church that he was 
deceived and not fit to be a church member and wished to be 
excluded ; but the conversation and prayers of his brethren, to- 
gether with the instruction of his pastor, Rev. R. T. Daniel, so 
comforted and encouraged him that he did not carry his reso- 
lution into effect. Praying in the prayer meeting was a great 
cross; to deny, was to arouse a guilty conscience for neglect 
of duty; to comply was a cross, a great cross; but however 
defective it saved him from a guilty conscience. He was in 
this gloomy state of mind for more than a year; sometimes fie 
would have sweet moments with Jesus, but most of the time 
-he was gloomy and melancholy and enjoyed but little of the 
comfort and power of religion. It pleased our Heavenly 
Father to give him a pious classmate, J. L. Davis, who became 
his room-mate and religious companion. They talked to- 
gether much on the subject of religion, and almost every day 
walked out to the woods, where they prayed with each other, 
and in these exercises he became strong in the Lord; and he 
and his companion often had happy and soul-refreshing sea- 
sons in the silent grove. About this time he became a reader 
of the Missionary Magazine and the Christian Watchman, and 
read the letters of the first Mrs. Judson on her first visit from 
Burmah to her native land. These letters often brought tears 



33§ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

to his eyes and made him wish he was fitted to be a mission- 
ary. But he felt too unworthy and sinful to be a preacher, 
much less a missionary. When Coleman and Wheelock met 
an early death, soon after leaving their land and country, he 
often sighed and inwardly exclaimed : "Oh that I was worthy 
to fill their places!" 

Early and incorrect instruction by older brethren did 
much to embarrass his mind and render it doubtful whether 
God had called him to the work of the ministry. Some said : 
" Never preach as long as you can help it. If it is your duty 
to preach, God will force you to do it." And, though he felt 
it to be his duty, he hesitated long. He was active in the 
prayer meetings and enjoyed them much; they were feeding 
times to his soul and to others; but his feelings of unworthi- 
ness were a great drawback to his convictions of duty in re- 
gard to preaching, and for ten years he felt intense anxiety on 
the subject. The Lord brought him out in a way unexpected 
to him; the ministry seemed so holy, and he felt so unworthy 
and the cross so great that he does not now see how he could 
have taken up the cross but for encouragement received in 
prayer meetings. Two other brethren and himself had estab- 
lished a prayer meeting at a school house in a district neigh- 
borhood. God blessed the meetings with an outpouring of 
his Spirit. One of these brethren was absent and the other 
sick, and the labor of the meeting fell upon him. What could 
he do? The work was powerful and his own feelings and the 
strong current of religious feeling urged him forward, and 
God gave him grace to try to preach and urge onward the 
good work. He did so, and called upon Revs. R. T. Daniel 
and Brown to hold a two days' meeting. They came over to 
the help of the Lord, and before they left a number were bap- 
tized, a church constituted and the money raised to build 
them a comfortable meeting house. He still felt so much un- 
worthiness that although he tried to preach and help his 
brethren, he had no idea of ordination, and, though it was 
urged upon him for about five years, he resisted every solici- 
tation for ordination, believing if he could do any good he 
could do it without ordination. Indeed, from the time of his 
first effort, there were so many difficulties in his way and the 
cross so great that he was all the time looking for a place to 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 339 

stop, and did not get his full consent to preach until he felt the 
hand of God upon him. His wife and child both lay dead in 
his house, and under this afflicting providence he gave him- 
self to the Lord and the ministry. But as stated, it was about 
five years before he could give his consent to ordination. 

His health had been bad for some time, and he found it 
necessary to seek a healthier location, and spent several 
months in the city of Raleigh, N. C, where his labors were 
much blessed; but the inability of the church to sustain him, 
forbid his remaining with them; and believing it impossible 
to enjoy health in the low country of North Carolina, in 1833 
he visited Tennessee, and found a home in Fayette county, to 
which he removed in the fall of 1833, and in 1834 commenced 
his labors in Tennessee. In that section of the State there 
were few Baptists, and very few churches, and these were anti- 
missionary, and belonged to the Mississippi River Associa- 
tion. He rode eight miles to find a Baptist, and met there 
Brother M. Morris, who had belonged to the same association 
in North Carolina. It was a joyful meeting; their brotherly 
affection and pleasant relations continued as long as they were 
in reach of each other. The country was new and without 
preaching places, and his first sermon was in a log school 
house. Sabbath hunting was common, and it was no uncom- 
mon thing to hear the report of the rifle on the Sabbath day. 
Some of these hunters came to his meeting, placing their 
rifles outside the house, near the chimney, and to their credit 
he says these people were the most attentive and best behaved 
congregations he ever saw. They sat as still as if nailed to 
their seats, and were all attention. A people of more kindness 
and greater hospitality he never found. He soon began to 
find a few Baptists, who were not ashamed to say, "I am a 
Baptist." Very soon his labors were demanded, and Ee 
preached at Somerville, Philadelphia, and at other places, and 
traveled and preached much all over the country, in Fayette, 
Madison, Bolivar, Gibson and Haywood counties, and at- 
tended several churches where camp meetings were held. 
Found Father Jeremiah Burns, who lived near La Grange, 
an able and lively coadjutor, and they frequently labored to- 
gether; and he was an able co-laborer. While in West Ten- 
nessee churches were formed at different places: Somerville 



340 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

and Philadelphia. At Beaver Creek there was a church, to 
which he was called, which had fallen into difficulty, and was 
divided into parties; all efforts to heal their divisions failed, 
and a large minority were excluded. The minority went off 
and joined anti-missionary Baptists. During his residence 
in Tennessee, he attended camp meetings near Denmark, and 
near Eaton, in Gibson county, which were attended with happy 
results. During the first two years of his residence in Ten- 
nessee, he received assistance from the "American Baptist 
Home Mission Society;" after that time, his labors were at 
his own expense, as is generally the case in new countries 
where there are few active churches. From various causes, 
and, among others, the loss of his eldest son, and the bad 
health of his family (no doubt the result of the decaying tim- 
ber and not of climate), and the influence of the unsettled 
state of society around him. he was led to visit Mississippi in 
1836; bought land in Yalobusha county, but did not remove 
to it until the fall of 1837. Most of the interval was spent in 
Nashville, Tenn. In the spring of that year a great financial 
crisis came on; all the banks suspended specie payments, and 
financial ruin fell heavily upon the country, especially upon 
Mississippi, where there was much speculation, and by the 
general failure of the banks and credit thousands were in- 
volved in ruin. Lands went down to one-fourth of their value. 
The whole country was involved in bankruptcy. He was 
among the sufferers. But notwithstanding the financial con- 
vulsions, and the difficulties into which he was thrown, he 
continued his ministerial labors, and he has reason to hope 
and believe that his labors have not been without success. 
The Yalobusha Baptist Association, to which his labors were 
chiefly confined, grew up to be an influential body. He trav- 
eled and preached much and often; did not receive a suffi- 
cient compensation to shoe his horse, much less to pay his ex- 
penses. He thinks that while he acted a voluntary evangelist, 
he rode on horseback about five thousand miles per annum, 
for six years. From that time to 1873 he acted as pastor to 
churches. At which time his health failing, and being sev- 
enty-one years old, he thought it best to resign his churches 
and give place to younger ministers. He had paid out, in 
hiring a manager for his farm, and for other necessary ex- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 341 

penses, not less than five thousand dollars, and at no time 
during his ministry, did he ever receive compensation for 
services equal to the interest on that sum, and often not more 
than half or one-fourth, and often not enough to shoe his 
horse, or pay his taxes; and yet he regards it the best invest- 
ment he ever made — an investment that will tell on the tem- 
poral and eternal welfare of his fellow men. The war left him 
his house and lot, two mules and an old wagon, but no other 
means of support in his old age. Although stripped of the 
means of support, he has thus far managed to have food and 
raiment, and has great cause to be thankful. Once, he says, 
he enjoyed God in all the blessings he bestowed upon him; 
now he has got to the fountain head, and finds all his comfort 
in Christ, and more happy than when surrounded by the com- 
forts and even luxuries of life. Now, Christ is all in all with 
him and his afflicted wife. Both are waiting for their Heavenly 
Father to release them from earth, and take them to the 
"house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Rev. 
J. G. Hall was a member of the first education society formed 
in West Tennessee, at Brownsville, Haywood county, July 26, 
1835, and was made its secretary. In looking over the list of 
the members who first composed the society and organized 
it, the author finds the names of but a few yet alive ; they are : 
Thomas Owen, R. S. Thomas, L. H. Bethel, and the subject 
of this sketch. The other noble brethren — names dear to us 
all — are now sleeping in their graves, awaiting the walking of 
the resurrection morn. This last item of his history is found 
in the "Baptist Triennial Register," for 1836. 

Since the above was written, this devoted servant of Christ 
has fallen asleep. He was taken in that fearful yellow fever 
epidemic, which prevailed in Grenada, in 1878, being in his 
seventy-seventh year. — Borum's Sketches. 

From 1837 to 1878, forty-one years, Rev. J. G. Hall lived 
in Grenada and in its immediate vicinity. He was the first 
pastor of the Grenada church and served in that relation for 
five years, following June 30, 1838. "He was a most devoted 
and faithful preacher, always happiest while actively engaged 
in the active service of Jesus Christ. His ministry extended 
through a period of fifty years, forty-one in the vicinity of 
Grenada including five in Grenada, and through the whole 



342 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

time lie did not receive more than two thousand dollars for 
his services. He looked for his reward in heaven, and enter 1 
upon that inheritance, reserved for the faithful in 1878. l~: 
and his devoted wife were both taken from earthly labors to 
heavenly rest only three days apart in that fearful epidemic 
which swept over Grenada in 1878." — Manual of Grenada 
Church. The minutes of the State Convention in 1879 have 
this reference to him: "It is our sad duty to record also the 
death of our beloved father in Israel, Rev. James G. Hall, of 
Grenada. Venerable in years, gentle and lovely in character, 
he was dear to our hearts, and we mourn his loss, although we 
feel that he had fully accomplished his work, and was taken 
home to God in the full maturity of his precious life." 

' L. E. Hall, the pastor 
at Hattiesburg, Miss., was 
born in Sumter county, 
Ala., March 23, 1847. He 
is the oldest child of ten, 
all of whom except three 
and himself are dead. 
His parents were poor but 
very industrious and had 
succeeded at the begin- 
ning of the war in giving 
him a fair English educa- 
tion, though he was at 
that time but fourteen 
years old. He entered 
the Confederate army at 
the age of sixteen and re- 
REV. L. E. HALL. mained in it until the war 

closed. Though only eighteen years old at the surrender 
of his regiment he was guarding the colors when they were 
furled at Saulsbury; N. C. The demoralized and ruined condi- 
tion of the country prevented the completion of his education. 
He was married to Miss Lucy Webb, of his native county, 
when but little over nineteen years of age. He settled down 
on the farm and in farming and other employments lived a 
life of obscurity and toil. During a period of nearly ten years 




MISSISSIPPI EAF11ST FBEACHfcRS. 343 

he supported his family and read at odd times every thing 
(except novels, for which he has always had a perfect aver- 
sion) that he could get hold of. When about twenty-six 
years of age he lost his health and for two years did not spend 
a day free from disease. During this time, and in fact for 
some years previous, his mind had been exercised on the sub- 
ject of preaching. There were a great many obstacles in the 
way. His poverty, the dependent condition of his family, 
and the fact that he had no friends whose sympathy and sup- 
port would be an encouragement in such an undertaking; 
these all combined to discourage him at every thought of 
preaching. There was still another difficulty. At the age 
of fifteen he had joined the Methodist church, and, though 
converted, he did not believe he had received scriptural bap- 
tism, and he did not want to preach to others that which his 
own conscience told him was not true. Finally in the month 
of August, 1875, he united with the Baptist church of Salem, 
in Lauderdale county, Miss. A few weeks later he was bap- 
tized, and at once entered upon the great work of the min- 
istry to which he has since devoted himself with great energy 
and consecration. For three years he was evangelist under the 
appointment of the State Mission Board. During this term 
of evangelistic service he preached in revival meetings all 
over Mississippi and in some communities in Louisiana 
and Alabama. The writer speaks from personal knowledge 
when he says that the work of our subject as a revivalist was 
remarkably solid. He had Mr. Hall's services in revival 
meetings while pastor at Louisville two years in succession, 
and the church was greatly refreshed and many sinners were 
converted under his earnest preaching. He was with him in 
other meetings in the Louisville Association. It was during 
one of the meetings with evangelist Hall, at Louisville, that 
the writer had the pleasure of baptizing his own wife, who had 
hitherto been a Methodist. Mr. Hall is now pastor of the 
church at Hattiesburg, Miss., where he owns a pleasant home 
of his own. The church has grown five hundred per cent 
during his pastorate there. They are thoroughly united and 
are reaching out towards higher and better things. In the 
face of the greatest opposition he ever experienced anywhere 
his Hattiesburg church has been brought to the front, and is 



344 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

to-day, beyond all question, the strongest church in Southeast 
Mississippi. He has baptized forty-six into its fellowship 
in the last few months. He has baptized more than one hun- 
dred during the past association^ year. His church has 
built by far the best house of worship on the railroad between 
Meridian and Xew Orleans. Before locating at Hattiesburg 
lie enjoyed a very successful pastorate at Shubuta. While 
here Mr. W. H. Pjtton, one of the most active laymen in 
South Mississippi, once remarked to the writer: "Brother 
Hall is the biggest little man in the State, I am sure, and am 
not sure that he would suffer in comparison with the biggest 
big man in the State." His faithful, sensible and industrious 
wife has contributed largely towards the success which has 
resulted from his labors. He has been active in prohibition 
work, speaking and lecturing and in every way, by tongue 
and pen, seeking to build a sentiment against the legalized 
whisky traffic. He has wntten much and well for the secular 
as well as religious papers and in that way has made an im- 
pression for good. 

On the occasion of the Confederate reunion at Augusta, 
Miss., in November, 1892, lie was chosen to deliver the ora- 
tion of the occasion. He delivered an eloquent address on the 
subject of patriotism, which was published in the daily papers 
of Xew Orleans and which excited a good deal of favorable 
comment. It abounded in wisdom, happy illustration, and 
wise comments on the race question in the South. He has 
also written and published several small poems and some 
of greater length, and on one occasion composed and used 
a hymn adapted to a baptismal occasion. 

Robert N. Hall was born and reared in Hinds county, 

Miss. At the age of twenty he went to the war and became 
a soldier in the " Lost Cause." In the battle of "Seven Pines," 
in front of Richmond, he lost his left arm and was discharged. 
Returning home he was elected probate clerk of Hinds county. 
When. Gen. Grierson made his celebrated raid through Missis- 
sippi Judge Hall put his father in charge of the office, raised 
a company and fought until the surrender. He then served 
in the office of probate judge until he felt called to preach. 
His term of judicial service was so acceptable that he was 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 345 

elected a second time without any opponent. But he had a 
call to a higher office and laid by the judicial ermine. He 
was ordained in Raymond in 1868. After his ordination lie 
filled different pastorates in Central Association until the fall 
of 1873, when he was elected agent of the Orphan's Home, 
and afterwards superintendent of the home. He was in charge 
of this institution in 1875 when the executive board of the trus- 
tees suspended it. After its suspension he remained for a 
term of years in East Mississippi. In the spring of 1877 while 
canvassing for a magazine he became acquainted with the 
destitution in Columbus Association and being moved towards 
it accepted work from the executive board of that association. 
In that work he repaired James Creek church, continued 
there until he organized New Bethel church. He superin- 
tended the building of the church at Cobb's Switch; was in 
charge of the work there at the time. His health failing he 
relinquished this mission work to J. T. Christian. Later he 
located at Crawford and was pastor there and at Brooksville. 
He afterwards had in charge Brooksville, living there, and 
.preaching also to Pleasant Grove on the west and New 
Bethel on the east. Writing Feb. 28, 1881, he said, " I have 
always been in work demanding my continued absence from 
home. I know I have never done myself justice in 
the way of study. I am now fitting up a study and intend 
to spend four hours a day in consecutive study. Pray for me." 

While in this portion of the State, possibly in the latter . 
part of 1881, he began the publication of a neat little monthly 
called 'The Little Missionary," having as its motto the words, 
" Elicit, Combine and Direct," the words which occur in the 
constitution of the Southern Baptist Convention, in defini- 
tion of the object of its organization. This publication was 
quite creditable, but, unfortunately, lacking financial back- 
ing, in the course of a year or more it became one of the things 
of the past. Shortly after this Mr. Hall had the misfortune 
to lose his wife, a most excellent Christian woman. He 
subsequently married a Miss Lea in the vicinity of Summit. 
Shortly after his marriage he moved to Texas. While in 
Texas he displayed the same earnestness and zeal which 
characterized his earlier life. Occasionally he wrote letters 
from his western home to the "Baptist Record" sending good 



34° MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

cheer and greeting to his friends. While living in East Missis- 
sippi it should have been stated that he was challenged by 
Rev. E. H. Mhoon, a Methodist preacher, at Starkville, to 
publicly debate the subject of baptism. This was in the sum- 
mer of 1879. Finding it impossible to honorably avoid the 
debate he finally accepted the challenge. The Methodist 
minister having arranged the debate then put in as his substi- 
tute, Mr. T. W. Dye, who came having the reputation of being 
the " most scholarly man in the North Mississippi Conference.'' 
Both sides, of course, gained a glorious victory, but it may 
truly be said that Mr. Hall did not allow his side to suffer at the 
hands of his "educated" opponent. After several years' resi- 
dence in Texas this good man received his summons to " come 
up higher," and quietly and calmly joined the "silent majority" 
during the present year (1894). He was a man of strong con- 
victions, bold and fearless and rather abrupt and positive in 
his utterances, but a sound and useful preacher of Christ. 

Wyatt Hall. This useful pioneer preacher of South 
Mississippi deserves mention in these pages. From his grand- 
son, Rev. Roland W. Hall, it is learned that he removed in 
early life from Georgia to Louisiana, thence to Bogue ChittO, 
Pike county, Miss. He began preaching ther,e in a very carls 
period, being among the first to preach in Pike, Lawrence, 
Copiah, Simpson, Rankin, Smith, Scott and Covington coun- 
ties. Under God's blessing many people were converted 
and many churches constituted through his instrumentality. 
He died in 1852. 

Roland W. Hall, son of James Hall, and grandson of 
Rev. Wyatt Hall, was born near Harrisville. Simpson county, 
Miss., April 26, 1845. Without a father's care after the age 
of seven and scant social, moral and literary advantages, he 
entered the Confederate army at the age of sixteen. After the 
dark days were over he stood, at the age of twenty, upon the 
threshold of manhood's duties totally unprepared in mind 
or in heart culture. On December 7th, 1865, he was married 
to Miss Mary J. Spell, and, without the knowledge of Christ 
or much else, he began life's labors. He had, however, be- 
fore this had some soul troubles which were very tormenting. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 347 

Under the preaching of Rev. J. L. Chandler, and especially 
by searching the Scriptures he found rest by faith in Christ 
and was baptized by Rev. J. L. Chandler into the fellowship 
of New Zion church in August, 1866. Naturally modest. and 
retiring, but moved by conviction and overruling interest 
in the cause of Christ, he, as opportunity offered, did in private 
and public exercise his gifts so much to the approval of the 
church that he was soon " set at liberty" to preach the gospel. 
Knowing, however, the need of preparation for the great work 
he disposed of all his worldly effects and entered Mississippi 
College in February, 1870, and continued only part of two 
sessions when he was obliged to discontinue, and returned 
to his native country and began teaching. In the meantime 
the "Lord of the harvest" called Rev. Daniel Gibbons away, 
and young Hall to succeed him at Mountain Creek and Cato, 
in Rankin county, and Strong River and Bethlehem in Simp- 
son county. Subsequently he was pastor of Liberty, the 
church which ordained him in May, 1871, Revs. Theophilus 
Green and A. H. Edmonson being the presbytery. He served 
at times Zion Hill, Hebron, Westville, Stonewall, Bethany, 
Silver Creek, Calvary, Columbia, Monticello, Bethel and Fair 
River churches. Much of his ministerial life has been 
attended by affliction, spending three years on account of it 
in Texas where in the Comanche and Bosque River associa- 
tions he preached as best he could. His present .address is 
Wesson, Miss. 

Samuel Haliburton, brother of Mordecai and David Hall- 
iburton, was born in Humphreys county, Tenn., May 24, 
1811. He professed religion at the same time (July, 1825) 
and place (Henderson county, Tenn.), and was baptized by 
the same hands (Rev. Elijah Cross) as his two brothers above 
mentioned. He was married to Miss Ann Humphreys, May 
24, 1832, and commenced preaching in 1834, and was ordained 
by the Mount Pisgah church, Henderson county, Tenn., 
August 11, 1835. He moved the same year to Gibson county, 
next to Obion county, and was pastor of several churches. 
His next move was to Mississippi, which occurred in 1839 or 
1840; where he built up quite a number of churches. After 
some years he removed to Arkansas. In the interim, how- 



34^ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ever, he studied medicine, doubling his profession and prac- 
ticed medicine and preached the gospel, while administering 
to the body he could care for the soul. The writer has 
always thought that these two professions blended better 
together than perhaps, any others. During the late civil war 
he was captured by the Federals at his residence — Evening- 
Shade, Arkansas — and taken as a prisoner to St. Louis, Mo., 
and placed in confinement, where he died of erysipelas, leav- 
ing a wife and four children. At one time, previous to his enter- 
ing the ministry, he united with the Methodists, but did not stay 
with them long, very soon returning to the old fold. He was 
gifted as a preacher; a friend to missions and all our denomin- 
ational enterprises. The history of him and his two brothers 
is remarkable. They were baptized at the same time and all 
became Baptist preachers and faithful workers in "the church 
of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth," and he 
has permitted two of them to live to advanced ages. Morde- 
cai has not been hung on Haaman's gallows; nor has David 
been slain by Goliath of Gath, but both are still alive and bat- 
tling for the truth; while Samuel, the younger brother, has 
been "called from labor to refreshment." — Borum's Sketches. 
The writer is living in that part of the State in which Mr. Halli- 
burton's labors were performed, and finds his memory still 
green and fragrant. 

P. A, Haman. The writer begs pardon for the insertion 
of the following personal note, which was given to the readers 
of the "Record," December. 1889, and is therefore public prop- 
erty. "All your readers know the story of the prodigal's ad- 
venture, sad experience and the final result. There is analogy 
between it and the history of the writer, in at least two respects: 
He wandered from the home of his childhood into another 
country and after awhile returned. Nearly sixteen years ago 
I left the home of my childhood and cast my lot among stran- 
gers in the progressive State of Arkansas. I went, as I then 
felt and now believe, under and by direction of God. I might 
have done better after a worldly manner to have remained 
among relatives and friends in the State of my nativity, but I 
did not consult personal interest only secondarily. I desired 
to extend my usefulness. There then existed circumstances 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 349 

hampering me, and I found it necessary to locate elsewhere. 
I sought another field seeking to be led by God, resulting, as 
above stated, in my moving to Arkansas where I fully and con- 
fidently expected to live, labor and die. 

"But I have returned to the place where, when a child, 
I enjoyed the loving caresses, instruction, care and attention of 
as noble a mother as 'twas ever the pleasant lot of man to 
have. A chain of circumstances running back about seven 
months indicated that God willed that I should return to my 
old home. Among them, and not the least, is the death of my 
mother, leaving my father, aged nearly eighty-two, in such 
condition as to need some of his children with him. I have 
come, therefore, from a sense of duty. And I believe, God's 
hand is so plain in the matter, that He has a work for me here 
and I am ready to engage in it. If there are any pastorless 
churches that I could reach from this point, I would be glad 
to correspond with or visit them with the view of preaching 
for them. As I have re-adopted Mississippi as my home 
and field of action, I desire to learn what I can about the work 
•of Baptists in the State and as I know of no way which I can 
conceive would be as servicable in this particular as reading 
the State paper, I conclude this scribble by asking you to 
send it to me, beginning at once." 

Mr. Haman, being so earnest and acceptable a laborer, 
was soon in demand and has been for several years pastor of 
the church at Learned, Hinds county, on the Natchez and 
Jackson railway, and other neighboring churches. He is suc- 
ceeding well in his work. 

John B. Hamberlin, A. M„ was born in Franklin county, 
Mississippi, November 21, 1830. He is a descendant of the 
Hamberlin family which came with Rev. Richard Curtis and 
his company of Baptists from Virginia, via the Tennessee and 
Mississippi rivers to Natchez, about 1780. He labored on the 
farm until nineteen years old, having attended country schools 
a little, when his father, William Hamberlin, died, leaving to 
his guardianship a young half brother and sister. He was 
converted at the age of seventeen, and was baptized into 
Percy's Creek Baptist church, Wilkinson county, by the ven- 
erable Thomas M. Bond. He taught school in Yazoo county 



350 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

at the age of twenty, and was there licensed to preach at the 
age of twenty-one by the Ogden church. He graduated at 
Mississippi College in 1856, and at Rochester Theological 
Seminary, New York, in 1858. His education was provided 
for mainly by the Mississippi State Ministerial Education So- 
ciety; yet, by first traveling as a colporteur, and then by 
preaching as a supply to adjacent points during his college 
course and seminary life, he furnished considerable part of 
his own expenses. He was ordained at Clinton, where he first 
graduated, by Revs. C. S. McCloud, E. C. Eager and Samuel 
Thigpen, in 1858, where he labored successfully until that 
region was invaded by the Federal forces in 1862, serving the 
Raymond church at the same time as pastor with one-half of 
his time. He next labored for a time as chaplain in the Con- 
federate army under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, and for the last 
two years of the war as superintendent of Army Missions for 
the "State Soldiers' Missionary Association." In 1865 he 
started "Meridian Female College" which flourished under his 
control for seven years. During this time he also conducted 
the college boarding hall, heard classes in the school room 
every day, preached as pastor of the Meridian church two 
years, and then as pastor at Marion, Forest, Enterprise and at 
Livingston, Ala., edited the "Christian Watchman" (weekly) for 
two years and the "College Mirror" (monthly) for four years. 
By 1873 his health was broken down and he retired to Ocean 
Springs. Recovering his health slowly, in less than three 
months he began, and, for five years and a half, carried on a 
missionary work in that region under the State Mission Board 
which counted as follows: eight churches constituted, about 
one hundred persons baptized, three houses of worship built, 
over ten thousand dollars raised for that field and outside be- 
nevolence, and the organization of the Gulf Coast Association, 
consisting at first of the Baptist churches in Mobile, Ala., in 
New Orleans, La., and those he had gathered in Mississippi 
along the intervening coast. At Biloxi his preaching resulted 
in the conversion of Airs. M. A. Hernandez, and Mrs. Henry 
Fales, and the two daughters of the latter, who soon returned 
to their home on the Island of Cuba, and greatly aided from 
the first the mission work of Rev. Alberto J. Diaz on that is- 
land. He was next pastor of the Vicksburg church for four 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 351 

years. Leaving Vicksburg he became pastor of the Palmetto 
street church in Mobile, for five years, when on account of 
failing health and threatened blindness, in November, 1888, 
he retired to Healing Springs, Washington county, Ala. 
Here he secured, by the help of others, twenty acres of land 
adjoining the Springs, for a Baptist church, and sixty acres 
for a Baptist school. The Antioch Baptist Association ac- 
cepted the land, built a two-story building thereon, calling it 
"The Industrial Academy " (open to both sexes), appointed a 
permanent board of trustees, and placed him in charge as 
president and general manager for a term of five years from 
October, 1891. With God's blessing, the mineral waters 
there, the rest of brain and nerves, and the prudent, diligent 
physical labor he performed about the school grounds, in a 
few years restored his health and saved his eye-sight. Now, 
(January, 1894) he is again preaching occasionally, while 
building up the industrial academy, his wife doing most of the 
teaching thus far from the first. He was married to Miss Jen- 
nie L. Stone, a graduate of Hillman Female College, in 1860, 
who died after two years, leaving an only son, LaFayette R., 
now instructor of English and elocution in the University of 
Texas. In 1863 he was married to Miss Sallie E. Mullins, a 
graduate of the Yalobusha Female Institute, who died after 
about ten years, leaving an only son, John C, who is still pur- 
suing his education. In 1879 he was married to Miss Mary 
Pearce in Mobile, a graduate of Tuscaloosa Female Institute, 
who is still living. To each of these noble companions he at- 
tributes much of what he has been and has done, while he has 
been stimulated all the while by what was told him were the 
last words of his dying young mother in a special prayer to 
God for him. The noted William Hamberlin, who had to 
flee, with Richard Curtis, and Steven DeAlvo, from the 
Natchez country, to escape Catholic persecution, was a grand- 
uncle of his. Of a retiring disposition he seldom assumed any 
prominence unless put forward by his brethren. He was for a 
longer or shorter time, secretary of the Mississippi Baptist 
State Convention, president of the Board of Ministerial Edu- 
cation, superintendent of Army Missions, moderator respect- 
ively of the Bethlehem Association in Mississippi, and of the 
Mobile and Antioch Associations in Alabama. In these capa- 



352 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

cities, and in those of a pastor, he has raised for the cause ot 
Christ, in actual cash, many times the amount which the de- 
nomination spent in his education. As a preacher he made 
prominent the strong doctrines of God's Word, and the pecu- 
liar faith of Baptists, insisted upon genuineness of individual 
conversion, the purity and usefulness of the church member- 
ship. He does not boast of hoving baptized a great many per- 
sons. Whenever approached as to the honorary title of D. D., 
he has invariably objected to it, insisting that such a title is in- 
consistent with the genius of Christianity, and was actually 
forbidden by our Lord Jesus Christ when he said (Mat. 2:i: S- 
10; John 1:39), "Be ye not called Rabbi." 

T. J. Hand, for many years moderator of Bethlehem As- 
sociation, died during the last Conventional year. He was in 
good old age and ready for the summons, having borne the 
burden and heat of the day in the service of his Master. His 
earnestness and general deportment endeared him to the hearts 
of the brethren. He is gone, but not forgotten." This brief 
note, in the minutes of the State Convention, is all the infor- 
mation the writer has concerning this good old minister of 
Christ. 

Barton Hannan was one of the pioneer preachers in the 
Mississippi, the oldest. Association in the State. His field of 
labor was in the "Natchez country." From Bond's edition ot 
the minutes of the Mississippi Association it is learned that 
Hannan was imprisoned for preaching, and remained in prison 
until near the time of the change of the government from 
under Catholic rule. His wife went to the governor, Don 
Emanuel Gayoso de Lemos, and demanded of him the release 
of her husband. He endeavored to evade her demand by 
caressing her babe, and making it rich presents. The reso- 
lute woman said to him, "I don't want your presents; T want 
my husband." He replied, "I cannot grant your request, 
madam." She answered, "I will have him before to-morrow 
morning, or this place shall be deluged in blood ; for there are 
men enough who have pledged themselves to release him be- 
fore morning, or die in the attempt, to overcome any force you 
have here." The governor having but a weak force at his 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



353 



command, thought, perhaps, that the main argument of the 
Romish church (the sword) might not be sufficient cogent at 
this time, and released him before night. He lived to preach 
the gospel unmolested under the flag of the United States. 



W. I. Hargis. The 

ancestry of the subject of 
this sketch were French. 
At some time, far back in 
the early history of this 
country two brothers 
came over from France, 
one settling in Missouri 
and the other in North 
Carolina. Mr. Hargis 
descended from the one 
who settled in North 
Carolina. His parents 
were from that State. He 
knows very little about 
his ancestry, save that 
they belonged to that 
class of honest yeomanry, 
who, by the fruits of hon- 
REV. W. I. HARGIS. est toilj obtained and en- 

joyed — most of them — an ample subsistence. They were among 
the pioneers of Mississippi, coming to the State while the red 
man's face was far more frequently to be seen than that of the 
white man. He says that not many of his kinsmen have risen 
to distinction in the world. Judge Thomas J. Hargis, of 
Louisville, Ky., being the only one who has thus risen to dis- 
tinction, of whom he has any knowledge. All of them having 
followed the more quiet pursuits of agriculture, have, in the 
main, obtained and preserved honorable characters, and un- 
sullied reputations. Our subject was born August 2, 1854, in 
Marshall county, Miss. His parents were James Hargis and 
Mary Richmond Durham Hargis. His life until he was 
twenty-nine years of age, was spent on a farm, attending the 
schools of the neighborhood a few months during the year, 
until he reached eighteen, when his school days seemed to have 




354 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

come co an end. About this time his mother died. He was at 
that time the only living child, two brothers having fallen in the 
civil war, one having died at home, and an infant sister having 
been born and died before his birth. When he was about 
fifteen years of age a gentleman proposed to his father to send 
him to the State University and graduate him at his own ex- 
pense if his father was willing. But for reasons not necessary 
to mention he did not give his consent. 

Supposing his school days were over he and Miss Laura 
A. Adair, of Tate county, on December 20, 187(i, were married. 
In August, 1883, his father died. There had been born to 
himself and his wife two children, Theodosia and Ernest. In 
December following his fathers death he moved his family to 
Oxford, Miss., having previously bought a home there, and 
the first of the following January entered the University of 
Mississippi, broken down in health and with the cares of a 
family upon his hands, he began work as a student. He re- 
mained in the University one and a half years, when from con- 
tinued poor health he was forced to discontinue the work. 
Going back a little: He was converted to Christ at the age of 
fifteen, and joined the Tyro Baptist church. He was soon 
afterwards elected clerk of the church, which position he held 
for nine years, until his ordination to the ministry by the same 
church in 1881. The presbytery consisted of Revs. E. W. 
Henderson, W. M. Gordon and J. T. Christian. Rev. J. T. 
Christian preached the ordination sermon. So far as he 
knows, he is the only preacher ever ordained by this old 
church, which was organized in 1841 and is now fifty-three 
years old. His pastorates have all been in Mississippi, mainly 
along the lines of the Illinois Central and Mississippi and 
Tennessee railways. Some of his work has been with country 
churches. He has for a long while entertained a special fond- 
ness for writing, and hence while on the farm wrote frequently 
for the Memphis papers on agricultural and other subjects. 
Since lie went to Oxford, and even before, he has occasionally 
written for "The Baptist Record" and other papers, not al- 
ways over his real name however. His present family consists 
of six children, three boys and three girls, and he lives in Ox- 
ford in his own pleasant home. Mr. Hargis is highly esteemed, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST P^BAGrfERS. 355 

is a good preacher and enjoys the full confidence of all who 
know him. 

JobeHarral. In 1818 the father of the subject of this 
sketcn left Georgia and settled in Winchester, Tennessee, but 
remained there only two years and came to Sparta, Smith 
county, Tennessee, where on Nov. 8, 1820, this son was born. 
Still not satisfied with the country the father returned to Eaton- 
ton, county site of Putnam county, Ga., and thought his wan- 
derings were over. He, however, heard great stories of Rus- 
sel's Valley, in North Alabama, and once more took the road 
in search of fortune and happiness. In the fall of 1820 he set- 
tled in Franklin county, Alabama. The mother was a Miss 
Judith Bird, and was from Virginia. The father and mother 
were both Baptists and were fixed in their faith beyond con- 
cession or compromise. The son thinks he never knew two 
more beautiful Christian characters, and both died as they had 
lived their faith unshaken and unclouded. He thinks that all 
the infidels in the world would have utterly failed to make the 
slightest impression on their minds. When the son was seven 
or eight years old he felt that he was not at peace with God and 
from that conviction arose the most fearful anguish. When 
he would think of God as an enemy, or an angry Judge, his 
heart shivered with fear. He wanted to be at peace with him, 
but how was he to do that? He thought that if it were not 
for Christ God would destroy him. He did not, he could not 
see that Christ himself was the offspring of the Father's eternal 
and tender love. Hundreds of times he cried by the hour, 
and in his self-pity thought to move the Lord to tenderness. 
He would read Paul's thundering denunciations of the sinner, 
and his description of the majesty and supremacy of insulted 
law, and the utter impossibility of our being able to atone for 
our sins or to appease God's anger, then he would fly to Christ 
and beg him to shield him from the burning wrath of Jehovah. 
His heart was often filled with despair, and then such convic- 
tions he never felt before and perhaps, never afterwards. If he 
had owned worlds he thinks he would have given them all to 
be at peace with his Maker. If he could only have known that 
it was the great love and compassion of God for his creatures, 
his children, that moved his great heart to give Christ his Son 



356 Mississippi baptist preachers. 

to die for us and save us, he thinks he would have been saved 
pangs that he remembers with horror to this day. Sometimes 
he was on the mountain-top, not for a clearer view but to be 
scorched by the lightnings; then he was in the valley over- 
whelmed with floods and storms, and trembled at the thought 
that he was approaching the judgment. He tried to believe. 
He tried to submit himself into the hands of God to be saved 
upon his terms, but it seemed impossible. He heard some 
people, who had characters for piety, say that if God wanted to 
send them to hell they were perfectly willing, but he could not 
feel that way, and because he could not feel so he thought he 
was guilty of rebellion, and so the waves rolled over him again. 
But he came to think of God differently. He began to realize 
that he was full of love for him, and if he could find him he 
would be happy, and like Job he began to search for him. 
He went forward but could not find him; he went backwards 
but he was not there; he sought him on the right hand but he 
hid himself in darkness; on the left hand but he would not dis 
cover himself; and he was again in despair. But, he says, 
it would take a volume to tell of all his sorrows and tears. 
Through ten years he was seeking God and pardon, and now 
knows that the cause was his ignorance of the simple require- 
ments of the gospel. He would choose strangling and death 
rather than life if he had to pass that way again. He had 
only to take God at his word, and do what he commanded, and 
the struggle would be at an end. The Jew who had the blood 
struck on his door posts might not have done so because he 
had faith in it, but he was perfectly safe, although he was 
trembling with fear when he heard the death wail all over the 
land. In the morning when he saw all of his loved ones safe, 
there came faith like a flood filling his heart. We are told 
to accept Christ, and let his blood be struck upon the door- 
posts of our hearts and then comes a sense of forgiveness and 
the keenest joy that ever filled a human heart. Let his own 
language tell the further narrative : "When I was satisfied, I 
began to look for Christ's church, and to the end of finding it 
I searched the Scriptures diligently. My father said: 'My son, 
take no man's word for anything in religion unless he can 
show you a plain commandment for it by Jesus Christ himself. 
Read carefully the New Testament and where it leads you go 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 357 

that way?' I did read it, and found the object of my search, 
the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. I knew it was his church 
because he built it, and I know that Baptist churches are 
churches of Christ for they are exactly like the one Christ built 
at Jerusalem, and since that time I have never had one doubt 
that Baptist churches are the only churches of Christ in the 
world, and I joined the Baptists with all my heart. I early had 
serious thoughts about preaching, but for a long time I had no 
intention whatever of entering the ministry. I had a strong 
desire to preach, but doubted as to my ability to teach, but a 
combination of circumstances seemed to force me against my 
will. I was clerk and deacon and worked in the Sabbath 
school as well as attended in prayer meetings, and it was in 
the last that I began to make public talks and attention was 
drawn to my efforts. The church members seemed pleased, 
and proposed that I be licensed, but I opposed it and the 
matter was dropped. The next proposition was to be ordained 
which I accepted, and in the spring of 1862 I was ordained 
by the Hernando church, James Dennis and A. C. Caperton 
constituting the presbytery. Our clerk lost his house by fire, 
and our records were burned with it, and so I am not certain 
as to dates, except the year. I have preached in many parts 
of the State, but in the main, my labors have been confined to 
the Coldwater Baptist Association. As to his faith Mr. 
Harral is staunch and immovable. He says: "If its ortho- 
doxy and Scripturalness have ever been doubted or questioned 
I have never heard of it." He was active associate editor of 
the "Tennessee Baptist," with Dr. J. R. Graves, for years and 
while in this position he contributed many valuable articles. 
In 1882, Mr. Harral was a member of the Mississippi Legisla- 
ture, and all agree that, in addition to his other services, he 
inaugurated the war of legal suppression of the liquor traffic 
which has been prosecuted with such vigor that prohibition 
has carried in all the counties in the State except five or six, 
and they will soon follow, it is hoped. He has been moderator 
of the Coldwater Baptist Association for years. This is evi- 
dence that he has the confidence and love of the brethren. He 
esteems it one of his highest honors — the highest honor — of 
his life to be so continuously the moderator of a body so large 
and so intelligent as the Coldwater Association. He still 



35§ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

preaches when his health permits, but has not now any regular 
pastoral work. His address is Eudora, DeSoto county, Miss. 




T. B. Harrel, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born 
at Sparta, in Bienville par- 
ish, La., March 17, 1855. 
He is the youngest of the 
five living sons of Rev. 
John A. Harrell, who was 
one of the pioneer preach- 
ers of that section of the 
State. One of his broth- 
ers, G. M., is also a preach- 
er, and is now the much- 
loved pastor at Minden, 
and Mount Lebanon. He 
was reared on the farm in 
the southern portion of 
Bienville parish. At the 
age of fourteen he was con- 
verted, and, by his father, 
baptized into the fellowship 
of the old Saline church, which his father served as pastor for 
twenty-five years. In August, 1879, he was licensed to preach 
by the same church; and in October of the same year entered 
Mississippi College. He was sustained in school mainly by 
the old Red River Association, of Louisiana. He continued 
in school till January, 1883, when, by failing health, he was 
forced to leave school. In August, 1881, he was ordained to 
the full work of the gospel ministry by the Saline church, the 
presbytery being composed of his father, Rev. J. A. Harrell, 
his brother, Rev. G. M. Harrell, and Rev. T. J. Fouts, M. D. 
Being, by continued poor health, forced to abandon his pur- 
pose to return to school, he entered his first pastorate at Min- 
den, La., where he supplied the church for one year, beginning 
in November, 1883. In July, 1884, he was married to Miss 
Josephine Houston, of Minden, who has proven a faithful 
companion in his work. In 1885 and 1886 he served churches 
in Bossier parish, where his work was quite successful in build- 



REV. T. B. HARREL. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



359 



ing up the churches in numbers and efficiency. In January, 
1887, he entered the pastorate at Natchitoches, La., where he 
continued nearly two years. He gave up the work at Natchi- 
toches and Robeline the last of September, 1888, for the pur- 
pose of attending the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ; 
but a combination of circumstances thwarted that purpose 
after he had resigned his work. Accepting an appointment by 
the Mission Board of the Louisiana Convention, he opened a 
new mission at Crowley, in Southeast Louisiana, where he 
succeeded in organizing the now prosperous church in that 
thriving little city. He resigned this work to accept a call to 
the pastorate at Ruston, Louisiana, where he served the church 
for two years, closing his work there the first of May, 1891. 
In November, 1891, he entered the pastorate at Hernando and 
Coldwater, Miss., dividing his time between the two churches. 
Here he labored successfully for two years, gaining the full 
confidence and esteem of all the people. Impelled by a sense 
of duty, he reluctantly resigned this pastorate in October, 1893. 
to accept a call to the pastorate in Piano, Texas, where he is 
now (October, 1894) laboring. He is a sweet-spirited and 
lovable man and is the very soul of honor. 

Benjamin Need= 
ham Hatch, youngest 
son of N. W. and M. 
C. Hatch, was born 
one mile east of Vicks- 
burg, Miss., January 
30, 1844. His father 
died when he was an 
infant, and he was left 
to the care of a de- 
voted Christian moth- 
er and three older 
brothers and one sis- 
ter. His father was 
engaged in the nursery 
and floral business and 
his home was one of 
great beauty. He at- 
tended the public 




REV. B. N. HATCH. 



360 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

schools of Yicksburg until he was eleven years of age, when 
the nursery was transferred to Jackson, Miss., and there known 
as Central Nursery, Hatch and Company, proprietors. Young 
Hatch also attended good private schools in Jackson, Miss., 
while assisting his brother in the nursery business. About the 
year 1859 he organized a military company of thirty-five or 
forty boys of Jackson, known as the "Jackson Guards." This 
company drilled two years with wooden guns. After the sec- 
ond year of its organization, the citizens of Jackson gave them 
guns, accouterments and camp equipage. He was elected 
captain annually for four years. In 1861, when war was de- 
clared, and troops were being raised and sent to war, this 
company offered their services to the governor, but he grace- 
fully refused to accept them as they were under age. The 
older boys, however, joined the regular army and the com- 
pany was finally disbanded. In the fall of 1861 young Hatch 
joined Company A, Third Mississippi Battalion, commanded 
by Maj. A. B. Hardcastle. He was elected second sergeant. 
In December, following they were ordered to Bowling Green, 
Ky., and joined the army under Gen. A. S. Johnston. After 
the battle of Shiloh he was discharged from the army on ac- 
count of typhoid fever. He returned home and soon regained 
his health and was appointed drill master with rank and pay 
of second lieutenant. This office he held until the close of the 
war. His home, together with all its effects, was destroyed 
by Gen. Grant's army, and at the close of the war his devoted 
mother was taken to rest with Christ. Being now grown and 
his home destroyed near Jackson, he went to Columbus, Miss., 
and engaged in farming. On April 25, 1870, he professed re- 
ligion in a meeting in the Columbus Baptist church, con 
ducted by Rev. J. H. Cason, pastor, assisted by Rev. W. S. 
Webb, then of Crawfordville, Miss. His conversion was very 
marked, and he at once became very active in religion, in the 
way of praying in public, conducting prayer meeting, etc. He 
was elected superintendent of the Sunday school and took a 
deep interest in the salvation of the school. He served in this 
capacity for several years. On January 30, 1873, he married 
Miss Margaret Ella, third and youngest daughter of Judge B. 
F. Beckwith, a large planter living eight miles from Columbus. 
The fall following he moved to Langdon Station, Ala., where 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 36 1 

he remained three years in Col. C. C. Lang-don's nursery. 
While here a daughter, Sallie E., was born. In the spring of 
1875 he moved to Artesia, Miss., and again engaged in farm- 
ing, and in 1878 he returned to Columbus, Miss. During this 
year he was deeply impressed while traveling through the 
State selling fruit trees that he must give himself wholly to 
the Lord's work. He would often while traveling neglect his 
business in attending revival meetings, talking personally with 
the unsaved, visiting from house to house. In reaching home, 
after one of his trips in selling fruit trees, he was so burdened 
for the salvation of the people in Columbus that he got the use 
of a large building, put in seats at his own expense and held 
a blessed meeting of several days. On the 10th of October 
of this year a son was born to him and his wife, and on March 
25, 1880, a second son was given them. These two sons God 
took subsequently at the ages of eighteen months and five 
years. Their daughter is left to them and is now grown, hav- 
ing graduated at the Lea Female College at Summit, Miss., 
and is now engaged in teaching music. She made a profes- 
sion of religion and united with the Baptist church at trie age 
of ten. Mr. Hatch spent nearly three years at the home of 
Mrs. F. H. Erwin, an eminent Christian lady of great faith and 
experience, who lived five miles east of Columbus. It was 
here he learned much of the precious word of God, and grew 
in the Christian graces. On the 1st of December, 1881, he 
was solemnly ordained to the full work of the eospel ministry 
by the Columbus Baptist church, the presbvtery consisting of 
the pastor, Rev. H. W. Battle, and Rev. L. S. Foster, of Stark- 
ville, Miss., Dr. Thomas W. Mayo, a deacon of the church 
being moderator. In Tulv, 1885, he attended the Baptist 
State Convention at Aberdeen, Miss., and while there he was 
invited by Rev. W. M. Farmer to assist him in two meetings 
at Good Hope and Spring Hill, in Panola and Tallahatchie 
counties. Feeling it to be the will of God and the way being 
opened he accepted the invitation and went. His labors were 
greatly blessed of God and more than one hundred persons 
professed faith in Christ, and were added to the churches. 
From this time rails for meetings began to come. He' w T ent 
to Charleston. Miss., where seventy-five or more found Christ 
precious and thirty-seven united with the Baptist church, many 



362 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

joining elsewhere. This was indeed a gracious meeting, and 
Brother John Powell, of Grenada, remarked he had "never 
witnessed anything like it." Calls for help continued to come 
by letter and telegram. He next went to Garner, Hardy, Ash- 
land, Water Valley, and Jackson, Tenn. In these seven meet- 
ings three hundred and sixty-six professed faith in Christ and 
two hundred and seventy-one united with the Baptist churches. 
From Jackson, Tenn., he came home to spend Christmas with 
his family. Having since his conversion a great desire to do 
the work of an evangelist, and God having so wonderfully 
opened the way and blessed the work, after much prayer and 
with the full consent of his wife he gave himself wholly to this 
work. He knew full well that to do this work would neces- 
sarily cause him to be away from his home and wife and child 
the greater portion of his time. He "asked God to take care 
of his loved ones and to keep him in health so he might do 
good work. He says: "To the praise of God I here record 
it that I have been away from home the most of my time for 
nine years, and that I have been in good health these years and 
that I have not been called home once in consequence of my 
loved ones. To God alone be all the praise." After the holi- 
days he went to Sardis, Miss., thence to Batesville, Longtown, 
Senatobia, McComb City, Winona, Tupelo, Aberdeen, Bald- 
wyn, Durant, Torrance, Egypt, Buena Vista, Troy, Shannon, 
Clinton, Vicksburg, Cherry Creek, Pontotoc, Rienzi and Ful- 
ton, Miss. In these twenty-one meetings seven hundred and 
eighty person's professed faith in Jesus as their Savior and 
three hundred and eighteen of them united with Baptist 
churches by baptism and seventy-seven by letter. In April, 
1887, while in a meeting at Summit, Miss., he bought him a 
home and in the following September he moved there and stiH 
lives there. He labored in meetings continuously from July, 
1885, to September 5, 1893, and having kept a record of his 
labors it is here given to the glorv of God: Meetings held, 
three thousand four hundred and eighty-four; prayer-meet- 
ings one thousand three hundred forty-five: number of pro- 
fessions of conversion two thousand eight hundred ninety- 
one: number uniting with the churches by baptism one thou- 
sand six hundred fifty-six: number by letter three hundred 
forty-six; number of miles traveled thirty-two thousand nine 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 363 

hundred twenty. He has labored mostly in his native State, 
but has held a number of meetings in Tennessee, Louisiana, 
Arkansas and some in Alabama, Texas and North Carolina. 
In September, 1893, he was appointed by the Mississippi 
State Convention Board as Sunday-school evangelist for 
Mississippi and he is now giving all his time to that work of 
organizing new Sunday-schools, getting them equipped, hold- 
ing teachers' meetings, telling " how to teach." He gives 
the tenth of his entire income to the Lord and the Lord helps 
him. 

B. F. Haynes was a minister in the Louisville Associa- 
tion in the early half of the present century. Of him the late 
Rev. W. H. Head says: "When he was called to ordination 
I was asked to be one of the presbytery, but refused, because 
having heard him exercise I did not think he ought to be 
ordained, though I esteemed him a good brother. He was 
hurt with me but got over it." He was ordained and labored 
some years in the Association mentioned above. Of his sub- 
sequent history the writer has no information. 

Hiram Ben= 
ton Hayward was 

born in Orange 
county, Vermont, 
December 6, 1806. 
It is not known 
how long he 
remained in his 
native State or 
how he spent his 
boyhood. When 
a young man 
twenty-three years 
old we find him 
identified with a 
Baptist church in 
the State of New 
York. He said 
he had been a 
great sinner, and 




REV. H. B. HAYWARD. 



364 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

feared at one time that the Lord had given him over to Satan ; 
but when he found peace by faith in the Lord Jesus, he desired 
at once to tell others how they, too, might be saved. But he 
was uneducated and could not preach — was poor and could 
not sustain himself in school. He was in deep distress, not 
knowing what to do, when the Baptist Board of Education of 
Xew York kindly proposed to assist him. He accepted the 
assistance and attended the then Hamilton Literary and Theo- 
logical Seminary, where, after a few years' hard study, he gradu- 
ated. He was grateful for all the aid he received, and as soon 
as he was able returned every dollar of the money with inter- 
est. (A good example to follow.) He was ordained in 183S, 
and seems to have married about the time of this ordination; 
soon after which, obtaining letters for himself and wife from 
the Macedonia church, Wayne county, Xew York, he came 
South, stopping at La Grange, Tenn., where he spent two years 
teaching and preaching. Then he moved to our State, near 
Holly Springs, and served the church there two years. He 
helped to organize this, the Coldwater Association, and to lay 
the foundation for the grand work which it has done in the 
last forty years. He gave up his work at Holly Springs to 
take some churches in the Yalobusha Association, just north 
of Grenada, where he lived and labored thirty-three years, 
serving some of the same churches nearly all the time. He 
was, for quite a number of years, the moderator of that Asso- 
ciation, and when it became necessary for him to leave it, that 
he might the more conveniently educate his children, the 
churches were loth to give him up, and have not yet ceased to 
grieve that he could not have spent the remnant of his days 
with them. 

For eight years he lived in Coldwater. serving at different 
times the Hernando, Ebenezer and other churches. He faith- 
fully filled up the measure of his days. At the close of his 
seventy-fourth year he came home from a meeting, and lay- 
ing aside his armor, at a call from on high, he departed to be 
with Jesus, in whose service he found his highest joys for more 
than half a century. Henceforth he rests from his labors, but 
his good work goes on. He left no private record of his work 
for the Master, in whose vineyard, as a reaper, he was im- 
mensely successful. He had a burning desire for the salvation 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 365 

of men, and his heart was all aglow with a peculiar tenderness. 
There are but few men who agonize in prayer for the conver- 
sion of sinners as did H. B. Hayward. Prostrating himself 
at the throne of grace he often poured out his soul in such 
earnest supplications for lost men, that all about him were con- 
strained, in tears and groans to unite with him in crying for 
mercy. As a man and preacher Paul was his ideal, and right 
nobly did he follow Christ. He often said, with Paul, "for 
me to live is Christ," and he tried to exemplify the saying in 
his daily labor of love. He lived to labor for the cause of the 
Redeemer. He would sometimes, in exhortation, strikingly 
say, "If I could, I would not rest and rejoice here. I am here 
to labor and weep, as the Savior did. Up yonder I shall have 
all eternity to rest and rejoice with him." He had a peculiar 
way of putting things sometimes more forceful than elegant, 
but always interesting. People generally went home from 
hearing him preach, not to think or speak of the preacher, 
but what he said. The following comparison will illustrate 
the impression he made as a preacher: Upon one occasion, 
when he preached by previous appointment before his Associ- 
ation, a brother present from an Eastern State, who had often 
heard the golden tongued Broadus, said of his sermon; "I 
never heard that surpassed — not even by Dr. Broadus." 
When he died, the "Memphis Avalanche said of him; "Among 
Baptist ministers, in pulpit ability, he was second only to Dr. 
J. R. Graves." He was a man of good native ability, was well 
educated, and was generally regarded as a sound theologian. 
In his early ministry he wrote out many of his sermons in 
full, but in his later years he preached without even preparing 
brief notes. He was modest and retiring — never wrote for 
the papers, and his worth was never known beyond the circle 
of his personal acquaintance. He was a good neighbor, an 
affectionate husband and a kind father. He was married three 
times, and leaves a widow, five daughters and three sons. His 
two oldest daughters are married, the other children are young, 
his oldest son only sixteen. He died in Coldwater, November 
8, 1881, rejoicing in the promises of the Bible, and is buried 
near Coldwater, in the grave-yard near Brooks' Chapel, but no 
slab marks the place where his body awaits the resurrection of 
the just: 



366 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

"Brother, thou art gone to rest; 

We will not weep for thee; 
For thou art now where oft on earth, 

Thy spirit longed to be. 
Brother, thou art gone to rest; 

Thy toils and cares are o'er; 
And sorrow, pain and suffering now, 

Shall ne'er distress thee more." 

From the Grenada church "Manual" it is ascertained that 
Mr. Hayward was pastor of the Grenada Baptist church from 
1851 to 1854. The whole of the above sketch was prepared 
by Rev. E. E. King, in 1889, then pastor of the Senatobia 
church. 

William H. Head was born September 23, 1821, in Ches- 
ter district, South Carolina, where he lived till his sixteenth 
year receiving there, in the common schools of the country, the 
elements of his education. He then removed with his parents 
to Mississippi and lived near Louisville, Winston county. He 
attended the Louisville Academy several years as taught by 
Rev. James Martin, a Presbyterian minister, and a Mr. John 
W. Morrison, of Illinois, who afterwards became a Congrega- 
tionalist minister, a graduate of the University of Indiana, 
under whom he was prepared for college and entered the 
sophomore class half advanced at said Indiana University, 
Bloomington, Indiana, in the spring (April) of 1840. He re- 
mained here, without visiting home, till he graduated with the 
degree of A. B., October, 1843. After returning home he 
studied law in an office in Louisville, receiving license to 
practice from Hendley S. Bennett, Judge of the sixth judicial 
district of Mississippi, November 20, 1844. In the summer 
of 1845, in a revival meeting with the Methodist church in 
Louisville, a Mr. Magruder being the preacher in charge, he 
embraced a hope in Christ, along with many others. Though 
his family relations on the side both of his mother and father 
were Baptists, some of the latter being of the persecuted Bap- 
tists of Virginia in colonial times, who removed to South Car- 
olina, yet his own church predilections, contracted in his edu- 
cation, were then in favor of the Episcopal church, and next 
of the Presbyterian, but were the mere predilections of an un- 
converted heart. Now feeling himself a new creature in 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 367 

Christ, his only inquiry was, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to 
do?" and thought he should elect his own church relation, not. 
from previous predilection, but as directed by the word of 
God. It was therefore from summer till late in the fall be- 
fore he offered to unite with any church; in the meanwhile 
anxiously reading and re-reading the entire New Testament 
and but little else. He had frequent and intimate conversa- 
tion and intercourse with some excellent young men then 
living in Louisville in a like state of mind with himself who 
were decided Presbyterians as they continue to be to this day, 
and well remembers some of the arguments and considera- 
tions which semed to have decided them. He conversed some 
also with Baptists, but for himself he was fully persuaded that 
there is no authority to be followed in this matter but the mere 
Word of God and that this is imperative and must be obeyed 
to have the answer of a good conscience toward God. He at 
length saw clearly, he thought that the New Testament, in 
Greek and English, teaches baptism by immersion only, of be- 
lievers only. Anxiously examining himself whether he was 
in the faith, since only if believing with all his heart might he 
be baptized, he offered himself to the Baptist church in Louis- 
ville, Rev. John Micou, the pastor, asking the church to deal 
faithfully and not receive him unless they believed him to be 
prepared. He remembers well his anxiety of mind on this 
point, to do just what the Lord would have him do, nor did 
he says this for self-laudation, for he thought no such feeling 
was present. He wished then to be a Bible Baptist, no more 
no less. He was received, and was baptized by Mr. Micou, at 
a place in Filby Creek, near Concord church, of which he was 
also pastor, there being no suitable place then for baptism in 
Louisville. Soon after he gave up the law, for he soon began 
to feel that his life's work must be to preach the gospel. In 
1846 he taught a school of ten months in what has since been 
known as the New Prospect neighborhood. During that year 
he received license to preach from the Louisville church, and 
did attempt to do so "in great weakness," he says, first to a 
congregation of negroes at Concord church and repeatedly 
afterwards both there and in Louisville. He was ordained 
December 13, 1846, in Louisville, Revs. John Micou, and N. 
E. Woodruff being the presbytery, James B. McLelland being 



368 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ordained at the same time and place. He taught school in 
Louisville in 1847, but preached at the call of the church one 
Sunday of each month at Louisville, also at Concord, and 
occasionally elsewhere. He was married in January, 1848, to 
a daughter of Samuel L. Potts and settled on a small farm 
near his father-in-law, where his home was till the close of 
1869. During this whole time there was scarcely ever a 
Sabbath that he had not an appointment to preach somewhere, 
except for short intervals. For different periods he was pas- 
tor of the following churches in the Louisville Association: 
Louisville, Concord, Liberty, Antioch, Beulah, and Mount 
Moriah; for more than twenty years pastor of Concord. In 
this time he served churches in other associations also, some 
of them as much as fifty miles from his home. These were 
Shiloh, Xoxubee county, Jiethesda or Graball and Kosciusko, 
the latter in 1868; besides, of course, much other preaching. 
He baptized in all three hundred and forty-eight persons dur- 
ing ten years that he kept a diary. He has baptized an average 
of nearly twenty yearly. He removed from Winston county 
to Terry, Hinds county, January, 1870, and was pastor there 
and at Crystal Springs, Copiah county, some years, also ot 
other churches around, Pilgrim's Rest, County Line, and Gal- 
linan. He lived in this section near seven years, teaching 
school two years of the time, when he removed to Union 
parish, Louisiana, and taught as principal in the Concord In- 
stitute at Shiloh, La., one year without any engagement to 
preach. He afterwards taught one year at French Camp, 
Choctaw county, Miss. In the summer of 1878 he visited 
Texas, and, being detained there by quarantine for yellow 
fever at Xew Orleans and all along the Mississippi river, he 
settled in Brazos county where for three years he preached and 
taught, being pastor of Tryon church in that county and also 
at Welborn on the Texas Central railway. He afterwards 
lived one year in Lavaca county, Texas, and was pastor at 
North Grove and Hallettsville in that county. He returned, 
Xovember, 1882, to Mississippi, and has lived since in and 
near Crystal Springs, having again taught school some since 
his return. From Crystal Springs, July 30, 1883, he writes: 
"I am now but waiting my appointed time until my change 
come." In the fall of 1883 he moved to Kosciusko and 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS 369 

taught in the school until the summer of 1884. In the fall 
of 1884 he went to Winston county to spend some time with 
relations. In the early part of 1885 he became pastor of the 
church at Louisville church, his old home. In the summer of 
1886 the change came and he quietly fell asleep in the com- 
munity of his childhood. 

Judge J. A. P. Campbell, of the Supreme bench of Missis- 
sippi writes from Jackson, this fall (Sept., 1894): "Rev. Wil- 
liam H. Head was a Baptist minister of excellent scholarship 
and intellect. He was college bred and had improved his 
opportunities. He was a very ready and interesting preacher 
and very companionable in the social circle. His voice 
lacked volume and the masses did not like his delivery in the 
pulpit. It was not noisy enough to please the multitude, who 
often favor vox et praeterea nihil but there was a sort of sub- 
dued melancholy in his tones very impressive to many intel- 
ligent hearers. He lived most of his ministerial life in the 
New Prospect neighborhood, Winston county, Mississippi. 
He was for awhile pastor of the church in Kosciusko. Later 
in life he removed to Hinds county, thence, after residence at 
other points, back to Winston county, where he died in 1886. 
He has a son, S. P. Head, at Terry, Hinds county, Miss., I 
think at this time. Mr. Head began life as a lawyer, but be- 
came a minister after obtaining license as a lawyer, as I have 
understood. He must have been upwards of sixty years of 
age when he died." 

John Patrick Hemby was born in Franklin county, Miss., 
July 2, 1854. He received his collegiate education in Missis- 
sippi College. Having* completed his course at Clinton he 
spent a portion of the session of 1888 and 1889 at the Southren 
Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained to the full 
work of the ministry by Union church, Franklin county, Miss., 
July 27, 1879. He was pastor of Union and Hopewell 
churches in 1878. In 1879 he was pastor of Wall Street 
church, Natchez. During 1880 and 1881 he served as pastor 
Sardis and Antioch churches in Copiah county ; and in a sim- 
ilar relation served Westville, Stonewall, Mount ZiOn, and 
Hebron churches, Simpson county, from 1882 to 1885. He 






37° MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

was pastor of Faunin, Jerusalem and Liberty churches, Ran- 
kin county, in 1886 and 1887. During 1888 he was pastor of 
Rodney, Fellowship and Sims Chapel, the two former in Jeffer- 
son, and the last in Claiborn county, Miss. Later than this 
he located at Gloster and became pastor there. At this im- 
portant town, on the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley railway, he 
has accomplished a fine work. During his pastorate a neat 
house of worship was built and dedicated and the membership 
in other ways strengthened and their number increased. Mr. 
Hemby is an earnest and consecrated minister of Jesus Christ. 
He is yet young, and a promising future is before him if his 
life is spared. 

H. E. Hemstead, after several months' illness, died on 
last Sunday, March 3, 1878, in Handsboro, Miss., at the resid- 
ence of his daughter, Mrs. F. A. Blake, at the age of sixty- 
three years three months and twenty-two days. He was the 
eldest son of Dr. Benjamin Hempstead, and was born in 
Bertie county, North Carolina, November 9, 1814. His 
mother's name before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Gran- 
berry. The only surviving members of his large list of 
brothers and sisters, is Dr. W. C. F. Hempstead, of Oakland, 
California. He was married in Cape Girardeau county, Mis- 
souri, in 1836, to Miss Permelia, daughter of Col. Samuel B. 
McKnight, who died and was buried at Handsboro, in 1857. 
His second marriage was with Miss Emma E. Hinton, who 
died near Ocean Springs, in 1864. Forty years ago he be- 
came a Christian and united with the Baptist Church, and five 
years thereafter he was ordained a Baptist minister, in Cape 
Girardeau county, Mo. He moved with his family to Hands- 
boro, in 1853. Here, and at other places along the Coast, he 
labored much in preaching the gospel. For the support of 
himself and family, he was compelled to give much of his 
time to secular employment. In later years he did labor ex- 
clusively as a minister of the gospel. For two years past he 
was pastor of Rolling Fork and other churches in Sharkey 
county, Miss. He was attacked last August by "swamp fever." 
As soon as he was able to travel he returned to Handsboro, to 
the home of his friends and nearly all of his children, on or 
about the 1st of December. From that time he gradually sank 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



371 



under much suffering; in all of which he had the kind minis- 
tration of friends and skillful attention of Dr. Peleaz, until, 
on last Sunday, he breathed his last, at 11:15 a. m., at the very 
moment, when we, as pastor and church, were praying for the 
peace of his soul, living or dying. He retained his mental 
and moral intelligence with vigor to the last, and when the suf- 
ferings of the body were sensibly gone, and the straining 
chords of life were loosed, his last words were, "Blessed 
Savior," and in less than ten minutes the spirit was free. In 
conducting his funeral obsequies at the church on the next 
day, we read extracts from his recent journal, in which he 
breathes his confident faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior, and 
his assured hope of the bliss everlasting beyond the grave. 
Though dead he was yet speaking to us all in power just then. 
A large concourse of friends and citizens followed his remains 
to the grave, and kindly will the remembrances of him be 
felt by all.— J. B. H. 



Elisha Williams Hen= 
derson was born of pious 
parents in Walton county, 
Ga., on February 10, 1831. 
When only eight years old 
he was made to feel that he 
was a lost sinner. It was 
not, however, until in his 
sixteenth year that he pro- 
fessed faith in Christ. In 
July, 1846, he professed re- 
ligion and was baptized 
into the fellowship of the 
Baptist church at Social 
Circle, Ga., by Rev. Nash 
Hill on the fourth Sunday 
of this month. On May 2, 
1850, he was married to 
Miss Ann Eliza Webb, of Tallapoosa county, Ala., who bore 
him eight children, five of whom have gone to heaven and the 
three living are devoted members of a Baptist church. His 
devoted wife died on the 29th day of May, 1865. In June, 




REV E. W. HENDERSON. 



372 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

1855, he was licensed to preach by the Bethel Baptist church, 
Tallapoosa county, Alabama. In June, 1856, he was ordained 
to preach the Gospel at the same church by an able presbyter} 7 
of eight ministers. He was soon invited to the pastorate of 
Bethel and three other churches. In 1857 he removed to 
Scott county, Miss., remaining in that county only one year, 
during which time he preached to four churches. In 1858 he 
removed to Alabama, settling in a county not known to the 
writer, where he remained till the fall of 1866. During all of 
these years he was constantly engaged in preaching never serv- 
ing less than four churches. His praise was in all the 
churches. On the 14th of September, 1865, he was married to 
Mrs. Eliza Eunice Anderson, of Troupe county, Georgia, who 
bore him two children, one of whom died in infancy. Never 
was there a better woman. She died 'triumphantly, August 3, 
1873. 

In 1866 he removed to Panola county, Miss., where he has 
lived ever since. He first united with the church at Sardis, 
but subsequently moved his membership to Peach Creek- 
church of which he was pastor for fourteen years. He was al- 
ways a bold and fearless defender of the doctrines of salvation 
by grace. He was a firm believer in the doctrine of election; 
was a strong advocate of all our missionary enterprises and 
taught his churches to support them all. They followed his 
instruction and were liberal, Peach Creek being among the 
most liberal churches in Coldwater Association. Thus his 
churches proved their faith by their works. 

On January 1, 1884, he was married to Miss Beulah 
Eunice McCoy, of Panola county, Miss., who has borne him 
three children, two of whom are now living, and are members 
of the church. She is a devoted Christian and has proven a 
help-meet indeed to him in his declining years. She is still 
living in Sardis. Mr. Henderson died of carbuncle several 
years since, trusting only in the merit of Jesus our Savior for 
salvation and eternal life. 

J. L. Henderson. This excellent minister, now moder- 
ator of the Aberdeen Association was bora in Cherokee 
county, Ala., Feb. 23, 1844. His father's name was Calvin 
Henderson and his mother was Miss Garrett, daughter of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 373 

Thomas Garrett. They came from Edgefield county, S. C. 
When young Henderson was three years old his father moved 
to Green County, Ala. In three years more their home was 
in Tuskaloosa county, Ala. There they lived till the fall of 
1858, when they came to Pontotoc county, Miss., where our 
subject now lives, and where his home has been ever since, 
except one year's residence in Chickasaw county, this State, 
which was 1876. He was married to Miss Jodie Johnston in 
Pontotoc county, January 11, 1865. She was a Methodist 
and in 1867 joined a Baptist church and was baptized by 
Rev. A. J. Seale, of blessed memory. She died October, 1876, 
near Buena Vista, Miss. In the fall of 1878 he was married 
to Miss Mollie Longest, of Pontotoc county. In the summer 
of 1858 he was led to trust in Christ for life and salvation, 
joined Gilgal Baptist church, Tuskaloosa county, Ala., and 
was baptized by Rev. Joshua H. Foster, D. D., an uncle of the 
writer. He was soon after this impressed with the duty of 
preaching the gospel. After removal to Mississippi he joined 
the Pleasant Grove Baptist church September 14, 1871. Soon 
thereafter he was ordained to the full work of the ministry by 
this church, Revs. A. J. Seale and G. W. Ford constituting 
the presbytery. For the most part his work has been in the 
Aberdeen Association. The Mount Zion church, in Clay 
county, and Centre Hill church in Chickasaw county, were 
organized by him in 1871 and 1874 or 1875 respectively. At 
the present time (October, 1894) he is serving Shiloh, Tock- 
shish and Macedonia churches in the Aberdeen Association, 
and Chesterville in the West Judson Association. His suc- 
cess in the ministry has been varied; some years he has 
been able to baptize many, at other times only a few; but on 
the whole he has been successful. His education, he says, 
has been limited. He was seven months in the preparatory 
department of Mississippi College, in the session of 1870 and 
1871. He had been a few months in country schools. He 
has taught school some but has depended mainly on farming 
for a support. He has received some remuneration from the 
churches. His membership remains with Pleasant Grove 
church. 

In the fall of 1860 he enlisted in the company of La Fayette 
Hodges, with which he remained more than one year, during 



374 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHER^. 

which time the company was at Iuka, Mobile, Ala., and Pen- 
sacola, Fla. After the fall of Pensacola he and a number of 
his comrades joined Tucker's Forty-first Mississippi regi- 
ment at Verona, Miss. He was in every battle with his corn- 
pan} except one, that of Missionary Ridge. They stacked 
arms at Goldsboro, N. C, with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, in 
the spring of I860. During the war he constantly thought 
about preaching and talked of it with some of his comrades. 
He has been as faithful a soldier of Jesus as he was of the 
Southern Confederacy. 

William Herod was born in 1780. All records having 
been lost it is not known where he was born, but it was in 
one of the Carolinas. He was ordajned to the ministry in 
Alabama about 1830. He removed from Alabama to Monroe 
county, Miss., in 1833; from Monroe county he moved into 
Calhoun in 1837. He was the pastor of Bethany church, 
Zion Association, near Slate Springs, for several years. He 
was the pastor of this church in 1842, when the separation 
took place between the missionaries and anti-missionaries. 
He came out with the missionaries and was strong in defend- 
ing the faith against the opponents of missions. He con- 
ducted a revival meeting in Bethany church in 1842 which 
lasted nearly a year and in which more than one hundred 
persons professed faith in Christ and joined the church. 
Some of the best and most prominent citizens of Calhoun and 
Choctaw counties joined the church during this great revival 
meeting. He had many other good meetings with churches 
in this county between the years 1842 and I860. He was 
also pastor of Fellowship, Philadelphia, Hay's Creek, and 
Pleasant Grove churches for many years. As a man he was 
genial: as a friend, true; as a neighbor he was good; and as 
a minister he was sound, faithful, earnest and zealous. He 
was the father of five sons and four daughters, the majority 
of whom have followed him to the grave, and none of the 
survivors are now living in the vicinity of his labors. Father 
Herod fell asleep in Christ in the summer of 1806, near 
Cadaretta. Miss., full of good works and much beloved by his 
churches, neighbors and friends. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



37 5 



" Sleep on, dear brother, take thy rest; 

God called thee home; he thought it best." 
It is sad that no monument marks his resting place, 
though he was a man of considerable property before the 
war. His effects passed into the hands of his grand-children, 
some of whom now live in Texas and are wealthy. — Signed 
by W. A. Moore, Dr. T. Pittman, Z. Middleton, committee, 
with A. B. Hicks, pastor, and Thomas Cooper, clerk, Phila- 
delphia church, Zion Association, June 17, 1894. 

R. G.] Hewlett has for some years been a useful minister 
in the Oxford Association. Of the circumstances of his early 
life and education we have no information. He was ordained 
to the full work of the ministry by Cedar Creek church, La- 
Fayette county, Miss., in November, 1859, the presbytery 
being Revs. Sledge, A. H. Booth, Cheek, Moore, and Saw- 
yer. He has served a number of churches in the Oxford 
Association; indeed the whole of his ministerial life has been 
spent in its territory. He still lives and labors there, and his 
present address is Burgess, Miss., -in Oxford Association. 



T A. B. Hicks, Jr., was born 
in Choctaw county, Miss., 
June 4, 1846. He professed 
religion at old Cross Roads 
school house, under a bush 
arbor, August, 1863, and was 
baptized into the fellowship 
of Bethany church by Rev. 
J. F. Fox, first Sabbath in 
September, 1863. He was 
ordained to the full work of 
the gospel ministry on the 
second Sabbath in June> 1871, 
the presbytery being Revs. J. 
F. Fox, T. H. Wilson, and M. 
REV. A. B. HICKS, JR. C. Allen. He was then a 

member of Fellowship church, Zion Association, and has 
remained in that association until the present time. He at- 




376 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS- 

tended school in Atlanta, Chickasaw county, in 1870, and 
boarded with Mr. G. W. Holland and his sainted wife, whose 
kindness he has ever remembered with the profoundest grati- 
tude. He attended school at Slate Springs, Calhoun county, 
in 1872, Mr. E. D. Spencer being principal. In 1873 he 
entered Slate Springs College and remained until June, 187G, 
in which he completed the Latin course and the Greek course 
also, except a few lessons. He also finished the scientific 
course and was advanced in mathematics. 

On Feb. 14, 1877, he was married to Miss Mattie Carroll 
and to them have been born four sons and three daughters. 
Two of the sons are in heaven and two remain with the 
parents. He has been regularly in the pastorate since 1871. 
He has been preaching to Fellowship church, Zion Associa- 
tion, twenty-two years in succession, and is still the pastor. 
This church has grown from seventy-five to about two hun- 
dred members. He has preached to the Greensboro church, 
the former county-site of Choctaw county, for six years. He 
preached at Wake Forest church, in Webster county, six 
years; to Shiloh church, Montgomery county, seven years; 
to Union and Mount Vernon churches, Webster county, two 
years; to Graysport church, Grenada county, five years; to 
Bethany church, Slate Springs, Calhoun county, one year, 
and baptized about four hundred members into the fellowship 
of the church; to Pleasant Grove church, Chickasaw county, 
six years. During his pastorate with the last church he had 
much trouble and anxiety in a church trial between two prom- 
inent members and wealthy merchants, which resulted in the 
exclusion of one of them. The excluded member applied to 
another church for membership and was received, upon which 
Pleasant Grove preferred a charge for contempt against the 
church receiving in the Zion Association. This matter is 
now awaiting settlement by the Association. He preached 
to Jones' B^you church. Deer Creek Association, in 1892. 
This is a good church but failed to pay his salary for that year. 
He preached to Cross Roads church, Webster county, five 
years. This church is full cf love and good works. He has 
been preaching to Sabougla church, Calhoun county, seven 
years, becoming pastor at its organization with twenty mem- 
bers. It now has eighty members and is a good church, true to 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 377 

Christ and the pastor. He became pastor of Philadelphia 
church, Webster county, January, 1892. This church is doing 
well. He became pastor of Providence church, Grenada 
county, January, 1893. This church was without a pastor 
in 1892, but is now in good condition. 

Mr. Hicks was chosen moderator of Zion Association 
in 1875 and 1876, again in 1891 and has since been chosen 
annually to this position of honor. He has baptized about 
seven hundred persons, married two hundred couples, offici- 
ated at two hundred and fifty funerals, and delivered twenty 
memorial addresses. He had a long spell of sickness in 
1884, came near dying, and lost four months from his 
churches. They, however, nobly paid his full salary. His 
health failed again in 1887. He went to Hot Springs, Ark., 
and through the virtue of the health-giving waters he was 
restored to health for which he returns thanks to God. He 
lost six months from his churches again in 1889, and they 
again paid his full salary. He says : " God blesses the faith- 
ful churches of Christ." On Monday following, the first 
Lord's day in June, 1894, he was forty-eight years of age. His 
labors have been much blessed. " The Lord has been good . 
to me all my life," he says. Amongst all his labors he 
preached to Mt. Zion church five years. When he began Irs 
work there the church had been without a pastor several 
years and was in a disorganized condition. He effected a 
re-organization and when he gave up the pastorate there 
were seventy-five members in good shape. He also served 
Spring Creek church. His wife was converted under rr's 
preaching while he was pastor at Mount Zion church during 
her maidenhood ; his text being Rev. 22 :14, " Blessed are they 
that do his commandments." He says: "My father was a 
Baptist minister; my mother was a devout Christian; I was 
brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; my 
wife is the Lord's hand-maid, an humble Christian and the 
best preacher's wife in the world (to me). There are six 
brothers and six sisters of us. Four brothers are Baptist 
ministers, three in Mississippi and one in Arkansas. The 
Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.' 'Bless the Lord, O 
my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name.' " Mr. 
Hicks has written numerous essays for various occasions, 



37 8 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

many of which possess much merit. One of them lies before 
us on "The Duty of Pastors to Preach Missionary Sermons to 
Their Churches," and is a paper of ability and merit on an 
important theme. 

A. B. Hicks, Sr. His son, A. B. Hicks, Jr., thus writes: 
" My father, A. B. Hicks, Sr., preached in this, the Zion, 
Association, for about fourteen years. He died in May, 1858, 
at the age of forty, in the prime of his life. He was a success- 
ful pastor, a good revivalist, and was a man of fine literary 
attainments. He held two successful discussions with pre- 
siding elders of the M. E. church, one of which was published 
in the "Mississippi Baptist'' before the war. He had pre- 
pared the manuscript for a work, entitled, "The Evils of 
Infant Baptism." My mother was never able to have the 
work completed, and now the manuscript is lost. My father 
died when I was twelve years old. He owned a number of 
slaves, and engaged in an extensive mercantile business. His 
wife died in 18S9. They now have, living and dead, about 
sixty grand-children. In my mother's lifetime I wrote up 
a brief history of my father's life, left it with her and now it 
is lost." 

L. J. Hillburn. The following is from the History of 
Columbus Association, p. 129, written in 1881: "L. J. Hil- 
burn, a native of Spartanburg, S. C, received his first serious 
impressions at the age of seven at Sunday School, and these 
were deepened soon after by the dying advice of a pious 
mother. At the age of fourteen he earnestly sought the 
Savior, and was made happy by trusting in Him. After 
waiting two years to be sure of his conversion, he joined 
South Carolina church (Ala.,) and was baptizecj by Rev. W. 
B. F. Yandell. Soon, feeling impressed with the duty of 
preaching, he resolved to make up the deficiencies of his edu- 
cation as far as possible, but this resolution was dissipated 
by the war. In the battle of Malvern Hill he was severely 
wounded, lost an arm, and was otherwise severely afflicted. 
Returning from these scenes he taught and studied several 
years, during which time he was licensed to preach. After 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 379 

meeting many difficulties and discouragements he moved and 
joined Border Springs church in 1866. Feeling still dissatis- 
fied with his attainments he pursued his studies two years, and 
in 1874 was ordained by Revs. W. H. Robinson and M. 
Kenum and Deacons W. B. Kold, E. D. Minter, W. G. Hal- 
bert, J. H. Lance and Jonathan Smith. The principal part 
of his ministeral labor has been in the northeastern part of 
the association, and has been abundantly blessed, and he has 
many seals to his ministry." This excellent and useful min- 
ister of Jesus passed to his eternal reward in 1886. 

Walter Hillman, LL. D., The subject of this sketch was 
born on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Jan- 
uary 9, 1829. His father, Captain Walter Hillman, long noted 
for his ability and success as a navigator and ship captain, 
although comparatively uneducated was a man of great natural 
intelligence and sterling integrity. The father, perceiving 
that the son possessed both the desire and ability to learn, 
after giving him all the advantages of the schools immediately 
about his home, sent him to the Connecticut Literary Insti- 
tute, Suffield, and afterwards to Worcester Academy, Massa- 
chusetts, from which institution he graduated in the summer 
of 1849, and the September following he entered Brown Uni- 
versity, Providence, Rhode Island, without conditions, for the 
full course. After remaining there two years he accepted 
the sub-principalship of Worcester Academy. This position 
he resigned after a six months' connection to accept that of 
classical instructor in Pierce Academy, Middleborough, Mas- 
sachusetts. Having completed this collegiate year in teach- 
ing, at the beginning of the next, he returned to the Univer- 
sity, and in the class of 1854 graduated with the degree of 
Master of Arts. The day of his graduation, upon the recom- 
mendation of the president, Rev. Francis Wayland, D. D., 
LL. D., he was offered the position of professor of mathemat- 
ics and physics in Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi, 
by President Isaac N. Urner. This he accepted and from that 
time he became a citizen of Mississippi and a resident of the 
town of Clinton. At the end of the first collegiate year he 
returned to Providence, Rhode Island, and the 18th of Septem- 



380 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ber, 1855, he was married to Miss Adelia M. Thompson, of 
that city, by Doctor Wayland. 

Returning south he continued to be professor in the 
college until the end of the year, when he accepted the presi- 




REV. WALTER HILLMAN, LL. D. 

dency of Central Female Institute, now Hillman College, 
Clinton, which position he held for thirty-eight years. In 
the year 1867 Mississippi College was found to be without 
endowment, with a debt of eight thousand dollars, its build- 
ing in a state of utter dilapidation, with no faculty and no 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 381 

students. At this juncture of its affairs, the subject of this 
notice was elected to the presidency which he held in con- 
nection with that of the Central Female Institute for the next 
six years. Beginning in the autumn of 1867, with one assist- 
ant teacher and eleven students and with the finances and 
property in the condition just stated, he resigned the position 
and left Mississippi College in June, 1873, with buildings in 
good repair, the debt cancelled, an endowment of over forty 
thousand dollars, a faculty of eight professors and teachers, 
and one hundred and ninety students. This work he per- 
formed and at the same time gave such attention to the in- 
terests of the institute as to maintain it in a state of prosperity 
fully equal to what it has averaged during the many years of 
its history. His religious history may be summed up thus; 
he was converted at the age of thirteen, joined the Baptist 
church in North Tisbury, Massachusetts, three years subse- 
quently, was licensed to preach by the same church a few 
years later, removed his membership to the Clinton Baptist 
church of Mississippi, in 1855, was ordained to the full work 
of the gospel ministry by the call of this church in the year 1858, 
and was pastor of the same church during 1862, 1863 and 
1864. 

Dr. Hillman's life has been eminently that of an educa- 
tor. The quantity of educational work which he has per- 
formed may be estimated by considering the long period of 
forty years during which he was continuously engaged in it, 
and the thousands of young men and women who have been 
under his instructions, and the quality of his work can be 
inferred from the general success of the institutions over which 
he has presided, and from the large number of eminent men 
and women who claim him as their educational father. Active 
in body and in mind and rich in successful experience he gave 
promise of a ripe old age. 

But God had need of him and called him home. On 
April 9, 1894, at his earthly home and among his brethren, 
this son of God and servant of men, fell on sleep. After 
appropriate funeral exercises in the chapel of Mississippi 
College, conducted by Dr. H. F. Sproles and participated in 
by Drs. Webb, Hackett, Galloway and Capt. W. T. Ratliff, 
amid universal sorrow and with deep emotion, his body was 



382 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

laid away to rest in the cemetery at Clinton to await the resur- 
rection of the just. 

u Servant of God, well done; 

Rest from thy loved employ; 
The battle fought, the victory won, 
Enter thy Master's joy." 

S. J. Hitt. " The subject of this sketch was born in Law- 
rence district, South Carolina, June 2, 1811, where he lived 
with his parents, David and Jane Hitt, until his 11th year, 
when, with his parents he moved to Green county, Ala., 
where he grew to manhood, enjoying the benefits of a common 
English education. He was fourth from the oldest of a family 
of ten children who grew to man and womanhood, all of 
whom he survived except the two youngest; one of whom is 
still living. He passed the early years of his manhood in 
teaching and farming until 25 years of age, when he was mar- 
ried to Eliza Strother Everett, November 10, 183G. To this 
union there were nine children born, seven boys and two 
girls, all of whom (save one which died in infancy) lived to 
man and womanhood, and six are still living, three of whom 
are members of the Baptist church. 

" Rev. S. J. Hitt joined the Baptist church of Christ at 
Clinton, Green county, Ala., early in the year 1851, and was 
ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry by the same 
church on the 18th of April, 1852, Rev. E. B. Teague, pastor 
of Providence church, Sumpter county, Ala., and Rev. Wffl. 
L. Boyd, pastor of Memphis church, Pickens county, Ala., 
officiating. He was actively engaged in the ministry in Ala- 
bama during the four years he lived there until 1850. Dur- 
ing those years he served the churches, viz.: Clinton, Beu- 
lah, Buck Creek, Cooksville, State Line and others not remem- 
bered. In 1856 he moved with his family to Rankin county. 
Miss., where he soon arose to eminence as a Baptist minister, 
receiving more calls than he could possibly fill. He has sup- 
plied churches in four or five different counties, viz.: Polk- 
ville, Mt. Carmel, Shiloh and White Oak, in Smith county: 
Mountain Hill and Zion Hill, in Simpson county ; Line 
Creek, in Scott county, and others not remembered. Some 
of the above churches he served fifteen or twenty years sue- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 383 

fully in the Master's cause until about three years before his 
death, when declining health and old age put on the brakes 
and placed a check on his hitherto active life; however, he 
continued to preach occasionally until two months before he 
died, and never seemed satisfied to give up serving churches. 
On the 17th of July, 1868, he lost the companion of his early 
life, death severing the tie, and on the 22d of July, 1869, he 
was married to Miss Malvina McLehany. To this union 
there were two children born, both girls, and both are living 
at this time, one married and the other single ; both are mem- 
bers of the Baptist church. On the 3d of February, 1892, he 
passed peacefully and gently from this life to enter that reward 
which Christ, the Lord, has in reserve for them that love him 
and keep his commandments, aged eighty years eight months 
and one day, having been actively engaged in the ministry 
nearly forty years." — Minutes of Springfield Association. 

Benjamin Hodges "came from Alabama to this State and 
settled in Winston county, six miles northeast of Louisville, 
where he lived for several years, and was prominent as pastor 
and revivalist in the Louisville Association, until he moved to 
Holmes county, I think," writes Rev. W. H. Head. "He 
had a fine voice and a good delivery in preaching, and was 
usually fervid and impressive. He was more useful in revival 
meetings, however, than in regular pastoral services. His 
literary attainments were limited but he made large use of 
what he had, and people thought him an educated preacher. 
If in speaking his ideas ran short, as not unfrequently they 
did, he yet held the attention of the audience by the sustained 
tones of his voice in mere platitudes and inanities, till he could 
recover his thoughts and pursue his theme unembarrassed. 
I once said to him, ' Brother Hodges, some hounds in chase 
(he was fond of hunting), when off the scent are silent till they 
catch it again, others keep up full cry while circling for it. 
In preaching you are like the latter.' 'Exactly so/ said he. 
' But I did not know any one ever noticed it before.' To 
arouse interest in effort meetings, he would, to reach the un- 
converted, 'first reprove and rebuke' the members with all 
authority, but not always with all long suffering. His favorite 
text on such occasions was ' Woe to them that are at ease in 



384 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

cessively. Suffice it to say that he served actively and faith- 
Zion/ and sometimes gave offense. This he did at Concord 
once, when a brother, a stout muscular impulsive man, was so 
enraged at his reproof, that he would, I verily believe, but for 
my interference, have given Hodges a sound thrashing. It 
was with some difficulty that he was restrained, but Brother 
Hodges knew nothing of it till afterwards, and then only said 
he preferred feeling of some sort, bad, rather than none. He 
once accidently shot a man while engaged in deer hunting., 
and all thought for some time the man would die and he was 
a wicked man. Brother Hodges got up an extemporized 
revival meeting then and there, and agonized over him in 
prayer almost to distraction apparently, and continued until 
the man professed religion. After recovery, however, it was 
not long till he was openly as wicked as ever. Some said he 
ought to shoot him again. After leaving the Louisville Asso- 
ciation Brother Hodges became prominent in other parts of 
the State, but I never thereafter knew much of him." Rev. 
T. S. Wright says: " Brother Ben. Hodges was a very- prom- 
inent and useful minister. He was pastor of Lexington, 
Acona, and Oregon and perhaps other churches; he was 
made our moderator for several years; his labors and sermons 
will long live in the memory of our older members. He 
moved into Sunflower county but returned to Holmes to see 
a sick relative. He had to swim creeks to make the trip. The 
exposure gave him typhoid pneumonia of which he died in 
Richland, Holmes county. He was a man of great influence 
in the churches and Association, and his death was a great 
loss to our denomination, not only in our Association but also 
in the State." 

W. H. Hodges. Of this minister Rev. W. H. H. Fan- 
cher wrote, in 1884: "W. H. Hodges was a man of mature 
age when he made a profession of religion, and there was 
something peculiar in his experience. He claims to have 
had impressions to preach before his conversion. He was 
set apart to the ministry, I think, by McCurtain's Creek 
church just before the civil war. He is now in Arkansas." 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 385 

Of his life and whereabouts, if still living, there is no informa- 
tion in the writer's possession. 

William H. Holcombe. This useful and eloquent min- 
ister of Jesus Christ, who wielded such an influence in North- 
east Mississippi, was born in Alabama, May 11, 1812. He 
began to preach while very young and was young when or- 
dained to the full work of the ministry. He came to Missis- 
sippi at an early age and successfully filled several important 
pastorates, among which may be mentioned those at Colum- 
bus, Aberdeen,- Okolona, Pontotoc and Ripley. He was 
deeply devoted and consecrated and seems to have had pecu- 
liar power in the pulpit. His sermons were eminently prac- 
tical and from the limited knowledge we now have of him 
we are fully warranted in saying that he was " a prince in 
Israel." But, like so many of the pioneer men of God, about 
the only thing we know of them is that we know compara- 
tively nothing of their arduous labors for Christ. He died in 
Tippah county, Miss., August 9, 1867. 

Lewis B. Holloway and wife, Sarah M. Holloway, came 
to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1832, from Hamburg, S. C, being 
the first Baptist preacher in Jackson. They went to work 
immediately with three other Baptists, and founded what is 
now the First Baptist church of that city. He was for many 
years its pastor, during which time he was often elected mod- 
erator of the Central Association, and about the year 1840 
founded what was then known as the Judson Institute, which 
he and Mrs. • Holloway taught at Palestine, near Raymond, 
Hinds county, Miss. He was for many years pastor at differ- 
ent times of nearly all the Baptist churches then in the lower 
part of Hinds county, namely, Bethesda, Palestine, County 
Line, Auburn, Peniel, Mount Albon, in Warren county, and 
Damascus in Copiah county. He was one of the best edu- 
cated ministers of his day; was a good Greek and Latin 
scholar. He was a most forcible speaker, and sound reasoner, 
and was able to cope with the best scholars of that day. He 
was known far and wide for his Christian character and piety. 
He died at the residence of his step-son, James M. Chiles, at 
Terry, Miss., December 1, 1871, in the seventy-ninth year of 



386 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

his age, having been bom in Edgefield District, South Caro- 
lina, in December, 1702. Mrs. Sarah Mayson was born in 
December, 1784. She was married to Mr. Holloway July 1, 
1818, the ceremony being performed by Dr. Marsh, a noted 
Baptist preacher of that day in South Carolina. She sur- 
vived her husband two years, and died December 11, 1873, in 
the eighty-ninth year of her age. Mr. Holloway was a man of 
wonderfully strong physique; was six feet two inches tall, 
and weighed about two hundred pounds. It was his custom 
in his ministerial life to preach for any denomination when 
he had no appointment, and he was often invited to preach at 
Spring Ridge Methodist and Clinton Presbyterian churches 
and to churches of these denominations at other points. This 
fact excited considerable comment,. among some young min- 
isters who were attending college at Clinton in the early days 
and who preferred charges against him for heresy. A life- 
long friend of Mr. Holloway "s in Jackson delights in telling 
the history of that trial in Clinton. When asked by his accus- 
ers what was his creed, he drew from his pocket a Bible and 
held it up before them with the remark: "This is my creed; 
have any of you a better?" His statements and arguments 
before the church were so convincing and overwhelming that 
the brethren who had preferred the charges withdrew them 
and the moderator requested Mr. Holloway to lead them in 
prayer. He began as follows: "Oh Lord, make the hearts 
of our brethren as soft as their heads." This old time friend 
of his repeats this circumstance and he also gives many in- 
stances of his wit and humor, often possessing a delicate 
flavor of sarcasm. After the civil war had ended he was again 
called to the pastorate of the First Baptist church, Jackson, 
which he had founded, and which had been so divided in its 
membership that no pastor could serve them without dissen- 
sion. He replied to the letter calling him in these words: 
" I cannot accept the call you have made upon me. I fear the 
Lord will soon snuff out the little tallow candle which so 
dimly burns to light the gospel for the Jackson church." 
— Contributed by Hon. L. F. Chiles. 

The old files of the convention minutes show that Mr. 
Holloway was one of the leading spirits in the work of the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 387 

convention and was a true yoke-fellow with Ashley Vaughn 
and others. He delivered the convention sermon at the first 
anniversary of the body at Palestine church, in 1837, from the 
text, "Thy kingdom come." He delivered the convention 
sermon again in 1846, when the convention met with Fellow- 
ship church, Jefferson county. He was president of the con- 
vention in 1844, when it met again with Palestine church. 
And in many other ways he was a leading and influential mem- 
ber of that body, in the preparation of reports, in the discus- 
sion of the different subjects of Christian work and in service 
upon boards, and committees. When called home he was 
greatly missed in the annual convocations of his brethren, 
us on "The duty of pastors to preach missionary sermons 
William Hood was contemporary with the distinguished 
Basil Manley, Jr., and W. S. Meek, of Tuskaloosa, (Ala.) Asso- 
ciation; and spent several years of his early ministry as the 
evangelist of that body. In 1845, or near that time, he emi- 
grated to Mississippi, and settled near Camargo. The remain- 
der of his useful life, extending through near four decades, 
was spent in Northeast Mississippi, and his biography is 
intimately interwoven with the history of Aberdeen and Jud- 
son Associations, in the bonds of which he labored, almost 
continuously, till the time of his death, in the year 1883, at the 
age of eighty-six. In the session of 1867, he presided over 
the Judson Association, convened at Town Creek church, 
near his old home. Several of the best working churches in 
the field of his labors, abide as living* monuments of his faith- 
ful ministry. 

There's not a work that e'er was done 
But flows like streamlets to the sea, 

And like the vapor through the sun 
Comes back, to fall in deeds to be. 

W, J. Houze, another good man has fallen — gone to the 
" mansion not made by hands." Rev. W. J. Houze has gone 
to claim the glorious reward of a happy eternity. The sub- 
ject of this notice was born in Cheraw, S. C, on May 1, 1816, 
and died in Pachuta, Miss., on March 26, 1894. His parents 
moved to Wayne county, Miss., when he was but three years 
of age. In 1847 he was married to Miss Laura Alston. 



388 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Shortly after this event he moved to Enterprise, Miss. His 
was a long, useful life, during which he filled several offices 
with efficiency. He gave his heart to God while young. He 
served as deacon of the Baptist church for a long time, and was 
clerk of the Bethlehem Association for eighteen years, but 
crowned his declining life by being ordained to the full work 
of the ministry. His aged companion who survives him 
bitterly mourns his loss. They trod the chequered paths of 
life together for forty-seven years. 

Brother Houze " was a good man and abided in the faith." 
These words tell his life simply and truly. I would rather 
some one else would write a more lengthy tribute of love to 
Brother Houze, for he was deserving of all the good that a 
friend could write of him. Not having known him very long, I 
fear the writer has failed in several points to give him justice. 
However it affects him not, for he is now enjoying a blissful 
eternity. He was postmaster at Pachuta, Miss., at the time of 
his death. — Pastor. 

W. D. Howze died October 18. 1890, at his residence, 
Hernando, Miss. We called a pastor for the past associa- 
tional year, Rev. E. S. Manning, but God, whose thoughts 
and ways are far above ours, had need of him, and called him 
unto Himself, and while our hearts were still burdened with 
grief for our departed pastor, we called Rev. W. D. Howze 
to fill the pulpit the remainder of the year, which he accepted, 
but ere the pall of sadness was removed from our hearts, this 
dear pastor too was called upon to lay down the cross and 
take up the crown. Mr. Howze was a member of this church, 
a prominent minister of the Coldwater Baptist Association, 
and served for several years as clerk of that body. Bro. 
Howze was known throughout the bounds of this Association; 
and many are the hearts made sad now that he can be with 
us no more. We sadly miss his pleasant face, and his friendly 
counsel, pleasant conversation, and affable manners; we will 
enjov no more on earth, but this we know, that when God 
shall call us too we shall meet our dear brother again in the 
beautiful home over there, nevermore to part. 

Mr. Howze was one of those Christians that always com- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 389 

mand the love and respect of every one. His amiable dis- 
position won for him many friends. He suffered a great deal 
during his last illness, but bore his sufferings with true Chris- 
tian fortitude. He spoke of his departure as only a happy re- 
lease from his sufferings. Death to him was no King of 
Terrors, and his long suffering brought no cloud of doubt 
and sorrow but only strengthened his faith in God. He is 
gone, but his memory still lives. " The cord has been loosed 
and the spirit has only returned to the God who gave it." 

" He has finished his work; 

Shall we mourn our beloved ones? 

Or weep, that: his face we no longer behold; 

Oh ! sweet is our hope, in this moment of anguish, 

We'll meet him again in the City of God." 

Because of our deep love and respect for our departed 
pastor and brother, and our profound sympathy for the be- 
reaved ones, be it Resolved (1.) That in the death of Rev. W. 
D. Howze, the church sustains a great loss, and that while our 
hearts are sad because he is with us no more, we bow in 
humble submission to the will of our Heavenly Father, know- 
ing that He doeth all things well. (2.) That we extend to the 
bereaved ones our heartfelt sympathy and commit them to the 
care of a loving Savior, who knows all our sorrows and has 
promised to never, no never forsake. (3.) That a copy of 
these resolutions be sent to the bereaved family, and to the 
"Southern Baptist Record" for publication ; also that a copy be 
placed upon our minutes. Done by order of the Oak Grove 
Baptist church, at a call meeting Dec. 7, 1890. — C. E. Emerson, 
Mollie Harwell, committee. 

William Thomas Hudson wa s born in Carroll county, 
Miss., about 1863 or 1864. He was raised on the farm 1 to 
hard work, his father being a farmer and needing the labor of 
his son in his work. When a young man in his teens he went 
to Carrollton and entered school, pursuing his studies under 
the supervision and direction of Dr. H. F. Sproles, then pastor 
of the church at that place. About this time, or later, he felt 
impressed with the duty of preaching he gospel, and pursued 
his studies at Mississippi College for several sessions. Leav- 
ing Mississippi College he at once entered the pastorate accept- 



39° MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ing the care of country churches, one of them in the same 
community in which he was raised. His mother having- died, 
and his father married again, he assumed himself the educa- 
tion of his sisters, sending them to school at his own charges 
while performing his ministerial duties. About the year 1887 
he was called to the pastorate of the Water Valley church for 
his entire time, and for several years served this church with 
great acceptance, his earnest and forcible preaching command- 
ing the attention of the community. His health becoming 
impaired he gave up this pastorate and accepted the care of 
several country churches. From about 1891 to the close of 
1893 he was pastor of the church at White Haven, Tennessee, 
and two churches in the Cold Water Association. In the 
beginning of the present year (1894) he accepted the pastorate 
of the First Baptist church, Dyersburg, Tennessee, and is 
now engaged in that pastorate. Because of his duties in look- 
ing after the education of his sisters he has been deprived of 
a theological education, except spending one session (1883 
and 1881) in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 
Louisville, Ky. He is a forcible and earnest preacher, very 
pleasing in style and delivery, and has been successful in con- 
ducting revival meetings. In this latter work lie feels lies an 
important part of his ministerial work. 

Berry Randolphus Hughey was bom in Union District, S. 
C, February 14, 1S48. He moved from South Carolina in the 
fall of 1859 to Tippah county, Mississippi. He was converted 
in August, 1865, at the age of seventeen and was baptized into 
the fellowship of Pleasant Hill church by J. A. Crook, with 
forty-one others, August 18, 1865. His membership was 
moved to Union church, same county, about the year 1868. By 
this church he was licensed to preach during the pastorate of 
Rev. Ambrose Ray. Having no education and feeling the 
responsibility to preach so great he left Tippah county and 
went to Panola county to rid himself of the impression to 
preach. After arriving in Panola county he contracted with 
Rev. C. B. Young, to live with him that year. This good man 
greatly encouraged him and in the fall of 1871 helped him to 
go to Mississippi College, Clinton, Miss. He spent the whole 
of this session in College except two months spent in Sardis 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 391 

under the treatment of a physician. His health continuing 
quite poor; he never returned to Clinton again. On May 14, 
1873, he was married to Miss Kate Jones. He was ordained 
to the full work of the ministry in February, 1875. The pres- 
bytery consisted of Revs. C. B. Young, J. W. Lipsey, W. H. 
Tucker and W. M. Gordon. Owing to continued bad health 
he moved back to Tippah county in 1876. In 1877 he 
preached at Harmony, Providence, Ruckerville, Pleasant Hill. 
In 1878 he moved to Chickasaw county, near Atlantic and 
served surrounding churches there for four years. Then he 
was employed by the Columbus Association to move to Cum- 
berland, Webster county, to labor as missionary. Here he 
came in contact with a mighty monster, "red liquor," and made 
the hardest fight of his life in Cumberland and over the county 
and gained his greatest victory. He remained here until 1890, 
serving churches in that and adjoining counties. He then 
removed to Aberdeen, Monroe county, and remained there 
four years. He served Amory church two Sundays in each 
month for two years, during which time he was largely instru- 
mental in voting whisky out of that town. During the pre- 
sent year (1894) he has been located at West Point employed 
by the Columbus Association in co-operation with the State 
Convention Board as the evangelist of the Association. 

During these seventeen years of pastoral service, which 
has mostly been in hard places, he has baptized about six hun- 
dred and seventeen persons and married over four hundred. 
The greatest number he has ever baptized in one day was 
thirty-seven, and has married as many as five couples in one 
day. He was waylaid once for preaching against profanity, 
and has been repeatedly threatened with "caning" because of 
his stringent opposition to whisky, but has never been 
touched by his enemies because he has been protected by him 
who directs all things for his own glory. During the present 
year his wife has been sorely afflicted for many months. 

Henry Pittman Hurt, son of Dr. W. A. Hurt, of Winona, 
and grandson of Rev. Henry Pittman, of blessed memory, 
whose name he bears, is a young man of much promise. For 
some years past he has been dividing his time between busi- 



392 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 




REV. H. P. HURT. 



ness and the completion of 
his education, taking during 
the time a business course. 
For a year and a half past 
his training has been with 
special reference to his cal- 
ling in life, having felt im- 
pressed with the obligation 
to preach the gospel. He 
has been a ministerial stu- 
dent in Mississippi College 
during the past eighteen 
months. 

On August 4, 1894, he 
was ordained to the work of 
the ministry and enters on 
work with fine prospects for 



usefulness. His work during the past summer was quite suc- 
cessful and gives the promise of a bright future. May it be 
realized to his friends and to the cause in which he is enlisted. 

T. J. Hutson. The 

following, from the 
"Baptist Record/' 
was published soon 
after the death of 
this esteemed minis- 
ter. Rev. J. J. 
Green is the writer. 
"On October 30, 
1890, Rev. Thomas 
Jefferson Hutson, of 
Mount Zion church, 
Lincoln county, 

Miss., after suffering 
of paralysis for 
about five years, 
passed away ; age 
seventy years one 




REV. T. J. HUTSON. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 393 

month and five days. He was born in Alabama, but spent 
the greater part of his life in Mississippi. He left a spotless rec- 
ord. He was a good and courageous man, a citizen of noble 
rank, a kind neighbor, a friend to the needy, refined, gentle, 
hospitable, possessing a good will toward all men. His par- 
ents died when he was only two years old. . His opportunities 
for cultivating his bright mind were, through all his life, quite 
limited. When quite a youth he attended a country school 
three weeks, which completed his school days. But by close 
application to study at home he learned to read and write, often 
using the ground for slate and paper. He was united in marri- 
age to Miss Mary Cagle, November 25, 1842. He was united 
by baptism to the Mount Zion Baptist church in his thirty-first 
year; licensed to preach the gospel June, 1845, was ordained 
by the Mount Zion church March, 1856, and was pastor of 
said church seventeen years. During his thirty-six years' 
ministry he was pastor of seventeen churches, and by his 
faithful and earnest preaching, led many poor sinners to Christ. 
The last five years of his life were spent in great suffering; 
hence was not able to preach often, but greatly encouraged 
his pastor in holding up Christ as the only hope of the sinner. 
He fell at his post much beloved and highly honored by all. 
He leaves twelve children and a devoted Christian wife, with 
many friends, to mourn their loss. His children are all pious. 
His oldest son is a minister of the gospel. The Bible was his 
daily study and delight, hence his faith was intelligent and 
strong. He knew what God said, and he believed and enjoyed 
it. His end was peace. He is no more with us in this life, but 
his blessed influence lingers like precious perfume. "Well, 
done, thou good and faithful servant.' "Blessed are the dead 
which die in the Lord." May God, in his infinite love and 
mercy, bless the bereaved widow and children in this sad be- 
reavement, is the prayer of their pastor. 

Joseph J. Ingram was born in Anson county, North Caro- 
lina, June 5, 1851. He moved to Alabama with his mother 
in 1860, and, in 1870, he came to Neshoba county, Miss., where 
he has since resided. In April, 1871, he was happily married 
to Miss Harriet Mason, of Neshoba. Eleven children have 
been born to this congenial pair, four of whom have been 



394 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

called to the glory world, two in infancy, and two after they had 
reached their teens. The others are living with their parents 
at Dixon. In 1873 he professed religion and joined Hickory 
Springs Missionary Baptist church, in Neshoba count)-, Miss., 
and in June, 1883, he was licensed to proclaim the glad tidings 
of the gospel. He was ordained at Linwood church by S. J. 
Tullos and G. W. Breland, March 2, 1884, and before the ex- 
piration of the year took pastoral care of two churches. In 
1885, he took charge of two others, making four in all. The 
fact that he is still serving two of these churches is evidence 
of the esteem in which he is held by his congregations. His 
churches have not been sufficiently remunerative to support 
him and his large family, and he has been compelled to devote 
much of his time and attention to farm work. But the Lord 
has blessed his ministerial efforts. Up to this date (June 2, 
1803), he has baptized one hundred and sixty converts. 

His father died when he was quite young, and he was left 
without the means of acquiring an education. When he en- 
tered the ministry he could hardly read. Since that time he 
has been a close student of the Scriptures and has acquired 
a fair amount of general information. 

Thomas Mitchel Jackson was born at Hernando, Miss., 
August 12, 1850. He was educated at Bethel College, Ky.. 
where he received the degree of A. B. Finishing his literary 
course, he spent parts of four sessions in the Southern Baptist 
Theological Seminary. Louisville, Ky., from 1877 to 1881, 
graduating in the English course. He was ordained to the 
full work of the ministry at Milan, Tenn., the third Sunday in 
July, 1876. He has been pastor of the following churches: 
Gray's Creek, De Soto county, Miss., 1878: Lmiontown, De- 
coven. Mount Olive, Union county, Ky., 1883; Bold Springs, 
De Soto county. Miss.. 1885: Eudora, De Soto count}', Miss., 
in 1888. These dates give the beginning of the different pas- 
torates mentioned. Leaving Mississippi he located at Con- 
way. Faulkner county, Arkansas, in 1889. Of his present re- 
sidence and field of labor we are not informed. 

Jarnss Drans Jam^53n was born in Muscogee county, Ga. 
He was educated at Mississippi College. Having finished 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 395 

his studies in college he spent one session in the Southern Bap- 
tist Theological Seminary (1874 and 1875). He was ordained 
December 8, 1872. He has been pastor of Magnolia, Camden 
and Hot Springs churches in Arkansas; Santa Rosa, Cal., 
Corinth and Macon, Miss. He has been secretary of State 
Missions in Arkansas; this was in 1880. Later, while suffering 
with sore throat, he lived in Macon, Miss., and edited a secular 
paper. Improving he moved to Steen's Creek, in which vic- 
inity he preached for a time, and during the past year has 
located in the pastorate at Homer, La., where he now is. 

We were glad to have Rev. J. D. Jameson with us at 
Shuqualak, on last Sunday. He has a large place in the affec- 
tions of that good people as was fully attested by the cordial 
greetings he received and the very close and interested at- 
tention given to the excellent sermon he preached at 11 o'clock. 
We were glad to learn from him, and to see it so well demon- 
strated in the pulpit, that his hitherto troublesome throat affec- 
tion had greatly improved and that he preaches now with far 
less difficulty than formerly. It now seems to us that with 
judicious management he would be quite able to resume regu- 
lar work in the ministry, and surely such talent as he possesses 
might be advantageously employed in the Master's vineyard. 
His home is at Macon on the Mobile and Ohio railway, which 
makes him accessible to any of the churches on, or near that 
road or any that intersect, cross or tap it in Mississippi. We 
hope the churches will make a note of this and soon have our 
brother's time fully employed. They may be assured that 
they will not fail of an able preacher and good pastor. — "Bap- 
tist Record," while Mr. Jameson lived in Macon. 

Green C. Johnson was born in Carroll county, Mississippi, 
May 11, 1862. His father, Atlas Johnson, died the following 
October; leaving the mother with six little children to provide 
for and rear. His early opportunity for schooling, therefore, 
was poor, attending only a portion of a few free schools. But 
by constant study at home, while working with his brothers 
on the farm he continued to advance in the acquisition of 
knowledge. He had the early training of a devout mother 
and the moral influence of his brothers and sisters. So 
when about fifteen years of age he began to read 



396 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

God's Holy Word and to feel the need of that Savior 
of whom it spoke. For some time he sought to know 
this Savior as his Savior. And when the saving knowledge 
came "by grace through faith" he united with Mount Nebo 
Baptist church, September 17, 1879, and was baptized by the 
pastor, Rev. John Mathews. From this time he was im- 
pressed with the great and responsible duty of becoming a 
minister of Christ's gospel. In reference to this undertaking 
no one but himself will ever know how grateful he feels that 
he had the wise fatherly counsel's and the influence of the 
noble and godly life of Rev. Henry Pittman, esteemed and be- 
loved by so many until the day of his death. While attending 
school he was the pastor of several churches. After spending 
several years as a student of Mississippi College he finished his 
course in this Institution with the class of 1893. He was or- 
dained to the full work of the gospel ministry at Mount Nebo 
church, Carroll county, Miss., November 30, 1890. The pres- 
bytery was composed of Revs. J. T. Zealy, Henry Pittman T 
S. Wright, J. J. W. Mathis, H. C. Taylor, L. C. Whitehead,' L 
I. Foster, A. V. Rowe, and T. J. Bailey. He entered the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., Octo- 
ber 2, 1893. He returned again October, 1894, and is now 
pursuing his studies there. 

John L. Johnson, D. D., LL. D. John Lipscomb John- 
son was born August 12, 1835, at Forest Hill, Spotsylvania 
county, Virginia. His father was Lewis Johnson, son of Jona- 
than and Nancy Castle Johnson and grandson of Alexander 
and Mary Lewis Johnson, and of John and Matilda Roane 
Castle. His mother was Jane Dabney, daughter of Hon. John 
Lipscomb, whose wife, Judith, was a daughter of John and 
Amelia Harris Day. He was the youngest but one of six 
children. Of these, Judith, the eldest, married Alfred Raw- 
lings, Esq., of Spotsylvania; Elizabeth, married Rev. Joseph 
A. Billingsley of King George; Jessie, married Hon. Jas. 
Frazer, of Georgia; Frances died in girlhood; and Valentine 
Mason, the youngest, married first, Miss Eliza Scott Boggs, 
of Spotsylvania, and afterwards Miss Georgia McVeigh of 
London county. 

The family, though descended from Episcopal stock, was 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



397 



distinctively Baptists, as may be inferred from the fact that the 
youngest child bore the name of a distinguished Baptist minis- 
ter. Forest Hill was an open-doored Christian home, in which 




REV. J. L. JOHNSON, D. D., LL. D. 

most of the ministers of that part of the State had been at some 
time or other gladly entertained. 

In the summer of 1852, at North Pamunky church, a 
few miles distant in the adjoining county of Orange, A. M. 



39^ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Poindexter and L. W. Allen held a protracted meeting, which 
proved to be one of great power. During its progress John 
made a profession of religion and was baptized by the pastor, 
Rev. James L. Powell. In the autumn of that year he entered 
Elim Academy and began preparation for college under the 
tuition of Prof. John Hart, M. A. The next year his plans 
were interrupted by the sickness and death of his father, this 
latter event occurring on the (3th of November, 1853. But he 
afterwards resumed his studies at Elim and a little later en- 
tered the University of Virginia, where in June, 1859, he re- 
ceived the degree of Bachelor of Arts. While a student, he 
helped to organize the Young Men's Christian Association. of 
the University, and he was a member of the Washington Lit- 
eran- Society, which one year conferred upon him the unasked 
honor of its presidency. 

When he entered college, he joined the Baptist church at 
Charlottesville. Alex. Pope Abell was superintendent of the 
Sunday-school of that church and to him perhaps, more than 
to any other person, his life at that time was indebted for 
healthful, stimulating Christian influences. During the year 
of his graduation he was licensed to preach ; and shortly after- 
wards the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist 
Convention appointed him to go to Japan as a missionary. In 
June. 1860. he was ordained at Charlottesville, along with 
Crawford H. Toy, J. William Jones and James B. Taylor, Jr. 
The occasion was one of unusual interest. The presbytery con- 
sisted of James Fife, Charles Ouarles, James B. Taylor, Sr., 
A. M. Poindexter, A. B. Browm John A. Broadus, and T. G. 
Jones: the latter preaching the ordination sermon. On the 
12th of the following July. Mr. Johnson was married to Miss 
Julia Anna, daughter of Thomas D. and Amelia Rogers Toy, 
of Xorfolk, and sister of Dr. C. H. Toy of Harvard, and Prof. 
W. D. Toy of the University of North Carolina. The marri- 
age had been planned with a view to his departure to Japan; 
but his health, always painfully delicate, had now become so 
doubtful that it was decided he should remain at least a year 
in America. Accordingly he went with his young wife to 
Hollins' Institute, where he taught English literature and was 
pastor of the neighboring church, Enon. 

At the opening of the civil war, Gov. Letcher gave him a 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 399 

commission as chaplain to the Virginia troops, and he entered 
the military service and continued in it until the cessaion of 
hostilities. He was connected with the 17th Virginia Infantry 
until after the seven days battles around Richmond. The 
remainder of the time he had charge of the hospitals at Lynch- 
burg, Va. Here he organized a library and reading room 
for the soldiers, many thousands of whom were often gathered 
in this city; made excursions into the States and raised money 
with which to supply it with books and religious newspapers; 
went out on advertised trains and brought in from the country 
supplies needed to improve the diet of the sick, held meetings 
on week-days for such as were able to get out, and ministered 
to those who were confined to their beds. Thomas A. 
Broadus, son of James M. Broadus, Esq., was librarian, and his 
salary was paid out of funds collected for the library. 

Then was little need for religious service at the hospitals 
on Sunday, as all who were well enough to attend, were heartily 
invited to the various churches. When, therefore, the oppor- 
tunity of preaching elsewhere was presented he usually availed 
himself of it. Thus he became acquainted with many churches 
of the country adjacent to Lynchburg. In 1863 Mount Her- 
mon church in Bedford county — the house of the Jeters and 
the Hatchers — invited him to become its pastor and offered its 
usual salary of $150 for the year. He advised with the author- 
ities and found there was no objection, but finally declined the 
call on the ground that the salary offered in Confederate money 
would not pay his expenses. The church represented the chief 
land holders of a thrifty, well-to-do community ; yet did not see 
its way to paying a larger salary than it paid in times of 
peace, even though very anxious to secure Mr. Johnson as 
pastor. The correspondence was continued, and finally the 
latter suggested that they pay in provisions, instead of money, 
each contributing whatever suited him best and giving an 
amount equal in value to the money he gave before the war. 
The idea struck and the suggestion was acted upon speedily. 
The flour, meal, bacon, butter, lard, etc., that made up the 
salary which they offered, and corresponded to $150 in peace 
times, would have brought about $4,000 in the market at 
Lynchburg. This was satisfactory of course to the preacher. 
He became the pastor of the Mt Hermon saints and contin- 



400 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ued with them until the close of the war, when, yielding to the 
inevitable, they wept and parted. Meanwhile, the pastor of the 
African B.aptist church of the city had died. It was not law- 
ful then for a colored man to be a pastor, and at the request of 
that church, supported by the request of the First church 
(white), Mr. Johnson became its pastor, preaching three Sun- 
days a month. He remembers with great satisfaction still the 
work he did for these people of dark complexion and grateful 
hearts. He baptized many of them and almost his last service 
in Lynchburg was the funeral of a young colored woman, 
for wdiich the grateful family presented him with a set of silver 
dessert spoons. 

When there were no longer any soldiers in the hospitals 
to be ministered to, Mr. Johnson sold his little home on Dia- 
mond Hill and went to Baltimore, to join his wife's family who 
had removed to that city during the war. There was no pros- 
pect of going now to Japan — nor for a long time. In Septem- 
ber, 1865, he w r as unanimously called to the care of the Court 
Street church of Portsmouth, Va., and at once accepted it, 
preaching his first sermon as pastor on the first Sunday in 
October. Just as he was entering with enthusiasm upon this 
work, a shadow fell upon his path and a shaft pierced his heart. 
During the war, even while the air was tumultuous with the 
sound of battle, his mother had passed away on January 30th, 
1863, and was laid to rest in the family burving-ground at 
Meadow Hill, many days before he knew of it; and on the 
22d of March following, his baby boy, Percy Boyt, had died 
and been buried under like conditions at Glenmore, in Orange 
county. Now, in the calm of peace, on the 9th of October, 
his little daughter, Alice Ogilvie, just sixteen months old, was 
taken suddenly away and laid in the Norfolk Cemetery by the 
side of his mother's young sister, Fannie Toy. The blow was 
almost intolerable and the darkness was for a time without any 
ray of light. But God blessed his work in the church ; in Feb- 
ruary and March of 1866, there was a great awakening among 
his people and the house of God was open daily for weeks. 
Dr. Thomas H. Pritchard, then of Petersburg, came and helped 
the pastor; and after him, Dr. C. C. Bitting, then of Baltimore. 
In less than two years more than a hundred persons were 
added to the membership. But he had had no theological 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 40 1 

training, and he was sick at heart, longing "for the touch of a 
vanished hand," listening "for the sound of a voice that was 
still." He therefore resigned the pastorate in August, 1867, 
purposing to spend a year at the Seminary, or to travel for a 
time in Europe. He went, however, no farther than across the 
harbor; the Free-Mason Street church in Norfolk had no pas- 
tor and was in some internal distress and he was unanimously 
urged to come to them at least for a time. He reluctantly con- 
sented to spend the remainder of the year with them. At the 
end of that time they asked him to stay the next year, and he 
yielded again. Meanwhile the finances of the church resumed 
a healthy condition, and baptisms, without any extraordinary 
meetings, became the rule rather than the exception. A 
young women's prayer-meeting was established ; then a young 
men's meeting, with an attendance of twenty or thirty; and 
lastly, a general ladies' meeting, at which there were some 
times as many as fifty members present. Probably seventy- 
five members were added during this time. In the early part 
of 1869, Mr. Johnson returned to his native county and under- 
took to carry out a literary project which had interested him . 
for some while — the gathering together into one volume 
memorial notices of all students of the University of Virginia 
who had perished in the late war. That summer, while en- 
gaged in this work, at the request of Dr. Richard Fuller, pastor 
of the Seventh Baptist church of Baltimore, he supplied his 
pulpit during his vacation. In September he removed to 
Charlottesville, that he might have easier access to the 
University records; did some teaching for his old teacher, 
Prof. John Hart, who was then at the head of the 
Albemarle Female Institute; and preached for the Fork 
Union and Bethel churches in Fluvanna county. His 
literary undertaking was a much more laborious affair 
than he had anticipated and it was not until 1871 
that the "University Memorial" was issued from the press, 
with its more than two hundred biographical notices. 

He then removed to Danville, Va., and jointly with Rev. J. 
B. Lake, assumed control of Roanoke Female College, then 
and yet one of the most prominent Baptist schools of the 
State. Here he introduced into the college course the sys- 
tematic study of Anglo-Saxon, as an integral part of the Eng- 



4°2 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

lish language and as necessary to an intelligent acquaintance 
with it. This was regarded at the time as a bold and question- 
able movement: but all the schools claim to teach old English 
now. Preaching was again joined to teaching and before long 
Prof. Johnson was pastor of four county churches — Harmony, 
Liberty, Laurel Grove and Sandy Creek, all in Pitsylvania 
county. The nearest of these was eight or ten miles from 
Danville, the most distant twenty-one miles ; but a fast horse in 
harness at one end and loving congregations at the other, 
made long and rough roads short and easy. When the 
memorial movement was made for the endowment of Rich- 
mond College, these churches contributed about two thousand 
dollars for that purpose. And when the General Association 
met in June, 1873, in the city of Richmond, to consider the re- 
sults of the endowment effort. Prof. Johnson was made secre- 
tary of that body. 

About this time he was elected to the chair of English in 
the University of Mississippi, and Chancellor Waddell, Prof. 
A. J. Quinche and Gen. M. P. Lowery, then a trustee, urged 
his acceptance of the position. Dr. Waddell was a true-blue 
Presbyterian, but he insisted that the Baptists ought to have 
larger representation in the faculty of their State University. 
He knew that the average Virginian does not pine to leave his 
native heath; and that, whatever else he may not have heard 
about Mississippi, the tradition connecting the State with the 
grave-yard has most likely come to his ears. And so he dis- 
coursed upon the healthfulness of Oxford, spoke of men who 
had even grown old in the State and emphasized the considera- 
tion that the position was tenable during good behavior. The 
arguments were good, the field was larger, the work was con- 
genial and the invitation was accepted. 

In September, Prof. Johnson went to Oxford with his 
family, which consisted now of Mrs. Johnson, little Julia Toy, 
John L. Jr., and Crawford Toy, the latter an infant. He was 
met at the depot and welcomed to the State by these men 
whose lives were to be strangely inwrought with his own — Dr. 
M. W. Phillips, professor of Agriculture, A. J. Quinche, pro- 
fessor of Latin, and Rev. J. B. Gambrell, Baptist pastor at 
Oxford. He set himself to work at once, devoting much time 
to reading and preparing lectures on the various departments 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 403 

of his course. It was a very great undertaking to put English 
in the front rank of educational subjects, but he regarded it 
as an end worthy of the best efforts of any man. 

Accordingly he arranged the studies of the Freshman 
class so as to meet the practical needs of a large number of 
students who attend college but one year. In the Sophomore 
he laid the foundation for a scholarly knowledge of Modern 
English by the careful study of Anglo-Saxon; and from this 
point until the end of the session year the old was constantly 
used to explain the new in its difficult matters of syntax, word- 
formations, idioms and etymologies. He believed that histor- 
ical acquaintance with all the stages of development of the 
language was needful to a full understanding of it in its latest 
form; that the processes leading to such acquaintance furnish 
a most valuable mental discipline; and that the resulting, 
thorough knowledge of English is the most desirable educa- 
tional acquirement of an English-speaking people. And it 
was his judgment that if he could carry one class of young 
men on such a course, they would defend him against all the 
critics, and his footing would be firm. He expected trouble, 
and trouble came. Students exclaimed against the increase 
of work given them ; professors were, some of them, indifferent 
and some opposed to this new bantling claimant for considera- 
tion; the trustees, most of them, knew little of the subjects, but 
were ready to hear complaints. And sometimes it looked as 
though a combination of all these untoward conditions might 
result in the discomfiture and retirement of the professor. 
But every year a new class of graduates came to his 
support and in the end his views were fully justified; 
people began to think it was just as well to know English 
as not. In 1875 the Vanderbilt University was founded, and 
Dr. L. C. Garland, then professor of Physics and Astronomy 
in the University of Mississippi was elected to the chancellor- 
ship of the new institution. It was his duty to bring before the 
authorities schedules of study for the various departments of 
instruction contemplated. He applied to Prof. Johnson to 
prepare for him a liberal schedule for the department of Eng- 
lish, speaking modestly of his own acquaintance with the sub- 
ject. The schedule was furnished, and when Dr. Garland re- 
turned from the meeting of the regents, he informed Prof. 



404 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Johnson that the course prepared by him had been adopted 
without modification. Gentlemen of other States, beginning 
work of this sort in college, consulted him and were im- 
pressed with his views; and before long perhaps a score of 
respectable institutions of learning in the South were working, 
and encouraged to work on the very lines where he had en- 
countered opposition. Some years later, Mississippi College 
established a chair of English and elected Prof. R. M. Leavell 
to conduct it. He came to Oxford, consulted with Prof. John- 
son and modelled his course after that taught in the University. 
Prof. Johnson was elected a member of the American Philo- 
logical Association; and for many years he was Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Spelling Reform Association of America. In 1876 
he was Vice-President of the Mississippi Baptist State Conven- 
tion. In 1879 the Southwestern Baptist University conferred 
upon him the degree of LL. D., a year or two later the Uni- 
versity of Georgia gave him that of D. D. and still later Mis- 
sissippi College honored him with the same title. In 1884 he 
was made a trustee of the Southern Baptist Theological Sem- 
inar}-, and continued so until his removal from the State. 

Dr. Johnson entered heartily into the denominational 
work of Mississippi Baptists. When he came to the State, 
Rev. J. B. Gambrell was preaching two Sundays mornings a 
month to the Oxford church, and he at once gave his services 
gratuitously for the other Sundays during that session. This 
was the beginning of regular preaching for the Baptists of 
Oxford. In 1874 he became pastor at Cofifeeville, preached 
there three years, collected the funds and built a pleasant house 
of worship which was dedicated in March, 1877, Rev. H. T. 
Haddick preaching the sermon. The same year the State 
Mission Board was removed to Oxford and Dr. Johnson was 
made president of it. He held the office four years, visited 
many churches and associations, and without charge raised 
large sums for the Board. In 1878 Bro. Haddick died with 
yellow fever and the Grenada church was left pastorless. Dr. 
Johnson took charge of it until the following May, when Rev. 
E. A. Taylor was called. In 1880 he became pastor of Mt. 
Moriah church in Marshall county and preached there three 
years; and in 1881 he added to this work this care of the Mid- 
way church in Lafayette county and at the same time preached 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 405 

once a month at Waterford at the request of the community, 
there being no Baptist church in the village. In 1883 he 
preached six or eight months for the church at Oxford, while 
it had no regular pastor. In 1885 and 1886 he had charge of 
the churches at Abbeville and Clear Creek; and in the fall of 
the latter year he accepted a call to Duck Hill and continued 
to minister to that beloved charge until his removal to Ten- 
nessee. All those churches had valuable additions and ex- 
hibited gratifying increase of spiritual life under his preaching. 
The Mt. Moriah church had some fifty additions by baptism; 
Duck Hill probably as many. It was his custom to hold a 
protracted meeting with his churches during vacation, and to 
take his pastor with him, if possible. Bro. Z. T. Leavell was 
his favorite helper at Mount Moriah; Dr. E. E. King and Dr. 
B. D. Gray each aided him once at Duck Hill. Dr. Johnson 
has not often undertaken the role of a protracted meeting 
preacher; but when now and then, he has done so, he has pre- 
ferred to do all the preaching himself. In August, 1867, he 
held a meeting at Beaver Dam, Isle of Wight county, Virginia, 
in which about forty persons were added to the church. In 
the summer of 1870 he spent eight or ten days at Rose Union, 
Nelson county, Va., and the church had a great refreshing 
and ingathering. In 1871 he made another visit to that com- 
munity, and fifteen were added to the church. Immediately 
thereafter he went to Hebron, near Mountain Top in the same 
county, preached twice a day for six days and witnessed the 
good confession of about twenty-five souls, chiefly people of 
mature age. In 1872 he held similar meetings at Liberty, 
Pitsylvania county, and at Shiloh, Charlotte county, and there 
were large accessions in the churches. In 1879 he made a 
visit with his family to the Old Dominion, his mother's old 
church, Good Hope, in his native county, had no pastor and 
was in a state of decadence. He held a meeting of six days; 
the church was much revived; he baptized nine into its mem- 
bership, and a pastor was called at once. In 1888 Dr. Johnson 
published a small volume of " Occasional Sermons." The 
discourses being such as he had delivered by invitation on 
special occasions, and not suitable therefore for general use. 
In 1889 he became president of Mary Sharp College, at 
Winchester, Tennessee. Here he remained for two years, 



406 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

guiding the fortunes of that famous old school and living in 
the finest climate and fairest scenery in the world. But he was 
getting weary of the tread-mill of teaching and he found the 
duties of a college president very exacting and wearing; the 
three children who came with him from Virginia had all grad- 
uated at the University of Mississippi, and the other three were 
progressing encouragingly; he had had poor opportunity for 
systematic study of the Bible, and sincerely wished he could 
see some way by which he might be able to devote more time 
to it. While he was meditating on these facts in February, 
1891, he was surprised by a letter from the First Baptist church 
of Columbus, Miss., asking him to become its pastor. He 
thought of himself as a teacher rather than a preacher; he had 
received many invitations to educational positions, had de- 
clined numerous college presidencies, and had disassociated 
himself with the idea of a pastorate that would demand all his 
time. But upon mature consideration, it seemed that the will 
of Providence was opening up to him the accomplishment of 
his cherished desire. Accordingly, as soon as the second 
term of the college session was fairly entered, he announced 
his acceptance of the call to the Columbus church, engaging 
to preach once a month for it until the close of the session. 
In June he took leave of professor's chair and president's office, 
returned to Mississippi and settled down as pastor in the City 
of Flowers. The welcome he received from his friends in 
the State made his return like to an ovation, and the congrat- 
ulations from men long in the pastorate came to him like a 
benediction. 

During his residence in Columbus his work has been 
much prospered of God. He has baptized from eighty to a 
hundred persons into the fellowship of the church and all 
its interests have gathered strength. Efforts have been made 
to remove him to other fields; but he is content with his people 
and they seem to be with him. They have been very gener- 
ous in allowing him to accept invitations to speak abroad, and 
he has accordingly delivered occasional sermons or addresses 
at the following places: Commencement sermon at Mercer 
University, Georgia, in June, 1891 ; dedication sermon at Aber- 
deen, Mississippi, in October, 1891; commencement sermon 
at the Arkansas State University in November, 1891 ; address 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 407 

on Woman's Missionary Work in the Last Century, at Jack- 
son, Tennessee, in March, 1892; commencement sermon at 
Furman University, South Carolina, in June, 1892; sermon 
before the Young Women's Christian Association of the 
I. I. and C. of Mississippi, in June, 1892; commencement 
sermon at Toccopola College, and address at Blue Mountain 
College, in June, 1893 ; address on "Emotionalism in Religion" 
before the Baptist Congress, at Augusta, Georgia, in Decem- 
ber, 1893; commencement sermon at Mississippi College in 
May, 1894; and address on "Popular Amusements" before 
the Baptist Young People's Union of America, at Toronto, 
Canada, July, 1894. 

J. R. Johnson was baptized upon a profession of his faith 
in Christ in Alabama, when quite a young man. He re- 
moved to Greensboro, Mississippi, in October, 1851, and en- 
gaged in the practice of medicine. Feeling divinely called 
to the work of preaching the gospel, he was ordained to the 
full work of the ministry in June, 1862, by the Greensboro 
church'. So high were his ideas of ministerial consecration, 
however, that he refused, after his ordination, to serve any 
church as pastor while actively engaged in any secular pur- 
suit. In November, 1865, he removed to Barton, Lowndes 
county. In 1867 he removed to Wejst Point; in 1870 to 
Benela; and in 1877 to Abbeville, where he now (1894) lives. 

Shad rach Jones "died early in March, 1845. He was a 

worthy member of the executive board of this Convention. 
For some years, in the early part of his ministry, he stood 
aloof from the benevolent schemes of the day; but for the 
last four or five years, he took a deep interest in the mission- 
ary enterprise, and was a steadfast and zealous supporter of 
all the benevolent plans adopted by this body. He had the 
entire confidence of all who knew him, and was especially 
beloved by those to whom he ministered." — Minutes of 
State Convention of 1845. 

W. W. Keep was born in Dover, Windham county, 
Vt., which State is immortalized by the production of three 



408 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



great men— W. W. Keep, Rev. J. R. Graves and, and, and 
Brig-ham Young— where at the age of eleven he was left 
by the death of his father, with only a good constitution, a 
slight knowledge of work in his father's blacksmith shop, 
had in about three years there with his father and brother, 
and the rudiments of a good English education, received in 
the public schools. But blacksmithing was not gentlemanly 
enough for him, and for four years he worked on a farm at 
from five to seven dollars per month wages and board. At 




REV. J. R. GRAVES, D. D. 
fifteen he began as apprentice to a cabinet maker, at Brattle- 
boro, Vt, to work from sunrise to sundown, through April 
to October, and from September to April, till nine p. m., to 
stay for five years, clothe himself and get as pay twenty-six 
dollars per year. He was naturally and by culture a fine 
vocal musician, and during his apprenticeship, being chosen 
for the work, walked after dark seven miles for twenty-seven 
nights and taught a class of sixty for an Episcopalian choir 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 409 

in vocal music. For this service he received twenty-seven dol- 
lars, and each morning he was back in the shop for the day's 
duties. He was genuinely converted in 1829, and in 1832, the 
year of a fearful cholera epidemic, he became for the first time 
acquainted with the doctrines, worship and principles of the 
Baptists. Always a Presbyterian, everything was new, and 
that the New Testament instead of the "Confession of Faith," 
or the teaching of the ministry, should be the basis and rule 
of our faith, seemed so very reasonable, that a prayerful study 
of the word of God was begun with a view to simple faith in 
and obedience to the will of the Lord Jesus. This soon made 
it clear to him that it is a fearful wrong to hold the errors of 
sprinkling and infant baptism. They must be abandoned. 
They were abandoned, and he told his experience to the 
Baptist church in West Troy, N. Y., was received, and on the 
Sabbath of December 25, was baptized in the Hudson river, 
by Rev. Isaac Orchard (then recently from England), it being 
necessary to cut away the ice for the purpose, which was three 
feet thick. His growing mechanical aspirations had led him 
to New York City, and here he married Mary, daughter of 
Rev. Isaac Orchard, who had been a dissenting (Presbyter- 
ian) minister in London eighteen years, but who had been 
led to Baptist views by his daughter having witnessed a bap- 
tism in a Baptist church (Mr. Jeffries'), and the father in at- 
tempting to reason his daughter out of such absurdities as 
immersion the only baptism, had reasoned himself and entire 
family into the acceptance of Baptist views, and they had all 
been baptized by Dr. Jeffries and then came to America. 

Mr. Keep prospered in business until the financial panic, in 
1837, drove him west to Chicago, then a village of three 
thousand people, where, with a few others, he helped to keep 
alive the Baptist church until it was graciously visited by a 
revival from the Lord. He was the first conductor of the 
Chicago Musical Academy, which position he held until he 
moved to St. Louis, in 1840. It was in a newly organized 
Baptist church, of which Dr. S. H. Ford was then the youth- 
ful pastor, that Mr. Keep was licensed to preach. His first 
effort was made soon after this before the General Associa- 
tion of Missouri, which he attended at Booneville, Mo., in 
company with Mr. Ford. His first pastorate began January, 



410 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

185.1, with the First Baptist church, Quincy, 111. In five 
years three hundred and five had been baptized, and arrange- 
ments made for the organization of a new church in Quincy. 
A more southern climate became necessary for his health, 
and he spent a very prosperous year as pastor of the Beale 
street church, Memphis, Tenn., baptizing seventy-five during 
the year. Next year he became missionary of the West Ten- 
nessee Convention to start a new cause in Memphis, and 
preached every pleasant Sabbath in the public square. But 
a hurt, caused by a fall from a buggy, disqualified him for 
this work, and he removed to Natchez, Miss., and became pas- 
tor of the Wall street Baptist church. Here, until the year 
of the war, this church was greatly blessed under his pastor- 
ate. An uninterrupted revival of five years began in a propo- 
sition of the pastor to begin extra efforts and to hold the meet- 
ings within their own means, but to preach, and work, and 
pray, and trust to Jesus for success, and to hold the meeting 
without limit, until he should be pleased to own it. This was 
begun and held every day with no visible interest, only sol- 
emn, death-like stillness, and a steady increase of congrega- 
tion for nineteen days. In the afternoon of that day, a very 
timid sister clinched the back of the pew in front of her own, 
and with tears, tremblingly said: ''For God's sake pray for 
my unconverted husband." He was a merchant and too 
busy to attend to his soul, and that utterance from her was 
like a ball of electricity through the audience. In a few mo- 
ments ten others made a similar request. From that day the 
meeting took hold, and gathered of all classes, and lasted day 
and night for thirteen weeks, during which time the pastor 
preached every night, three times every Sabbath, Bible class 
in Sabbath-school, four o'clock prayer and talking meeting 
every week day, and a special prayer meeting at eight a. m., 
every day. In six weeks from the time of the request stated, 
every husband but one had been baptized, and he was so 
wicked God killed him. He was a strong, healthy man, but 
in the most delightfully pleasant wealth, he died in a few 
hours of pneumonia, though surrounded by every possible at- 
tention and means of care. 

During this meeting, and afterwards, no one was expected 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 411 

to offer for church membership, without one or more private 
conversations, so that the pastor could feel assured that such 
connection was the result of genuine and intelligent conver- 
sion. There was then afterwards almost no necessity for 
discipline, although five hundred and twelve had been bap- 
tized. The temporary loss during the war of the beautiful 
brick church, which was only recovered by a three years 7 
suit after its close, and the scattering of the membership, to- 
gether with broken health, led Mr. Keep to resign and 
remove to Yazoo City, where he thought his health would 
improve, as bronchitis and chronic diarrhoea had greatly re- 
duced him. About the beginning of the war he went as a 
chaplain in a battalion which became the Forty-second Mis- 
sissippi Regiment, at Vicksburg, and in the exposure and vi- 
cissitude, gradually became so feeble that he was compelled 
to send in his resignation. The siege of Vicksburg and its 
fall just at this juncture, defeated the arrangement made on 
the earnest solicitation of the trustees of the Female Academy 
at Canton, Miss., for him to become principal of that insti- 
tution, in which the whole of its fine property was to be 
turned over to the Baptists (heretofore Presbyterian), and to 
open October 1, with about one hundred pupils. The panic 
created by that ignoble surrender, was in every way disas- 
trous, and Mr. Keep removed to Meridian, Miss., unable to 
preach, with a view of there starting a private business. Lots 
were bought, and buildings were erected, when the surrender 
of General Lee was announced, and the condition and plans 
of everybody were revolutionized. Here, as the surrender of 
the department was made by General Gibson, he found him- 
self in available funds to the amount of twenty-five cents, and 
barely able to walk, with six persons in his family, and not a 
week's supplies anywhere. The Lord took care of them thus : 
The Federals came in to take possession of headquarters of 
the department and arrange for the parole of forty-two thou- 
sand men, and the commissary clerk hearing the name of Mr. 
Keep, asked: "Is he a preacher?" "Yes." "A Baptist 
preacher?" "Yes." He immediately sent a polite note re- 
questing him if possible to call at his office, as he couldn't 
leave it. The call was made; the clerk recognized his for- 
mer pastor, and Mr. Keep met a Sabbath-school lad that he 



412 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

had baptized in Quincy, 111. The gray and the blue, which 
both wore respectively, were forgotten, and as Christians 
they gratefully recalled the hand that had upheld and guided 
each. The condition and wants of the family were asked. 
Said the clerk: "I have a margin of ten per cent on every- 
thing. Will you accept a present from your old convert and 
Bible class pupil?" A wagon load was sent, which met every 
want. A week passed. Air. Keep had long ago bought four 
hundred dollars' (Confederate) worth of wheat up the rail- 
road, and thought of course the surrender had sunk it; but 
a note from the quartermaster said: "You have a quantity 
of wheat which came down last night." The clerk wrote. 
"Our flour, for three regiments, has not come, as it ought to 
have done a week ago. The men dislike corn meal, and 
many of them think flour is in store, 'and that we refuse it to 
them. They are excited and threaten to break open the com- 
missary, and we fear there will be trouble. Now, if you will 
turn over to us this wheat, we can haul it out to a corn mill 
eight miles, and though not bolted, it is wheat, and will sat- 
isfy them, and I will return it in barreled flour, pound for 
pound." It was done, and they and Mr. Keep's family lived 
on it until it was all gone. The flour came, and it was re- 
placed as promised. Again, a quantity of bacon had been 
purchased and given over in the same way, and it soon came, 
and so subsistence became real. He who fed Elijah cared 
for these servants of his. 

Through the advice and liberality of the commanding offi- 
cer, General McMillen, who was a physician, Mr. Keep, whose 
health was very frail, went to Minnesota for recuperation, 
and found, for many months, a most hospitable home with 
Deacon Cram and his wife, of St. Cloud. But ten months 
in this cold State was a serious injury to his health, and he 
returned South, arriving in Meridian in the summer of 1866, 
intending to go on to Florida. His physician said: "You 
needn't go to Florida, or any where else; you had better 
stay and die at home; you cannot live six weeks." But his 
bronchitis had not extended to the bronchial tube and lungs, 
as the physician supposed. Before the close of the war Mr. 
Keep had met Dr. J. R. Graves in Meridian on a business 
engagement, and while there, learned that the Lauderdale 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 41 3 

Springs property was for sale. They agreed together to 
make an effort to secure it for an orphan asylum, and turn 
it over to the Baptist State Convention, then about to be 
held at Crawfordville. With L. A. Duncan and T. Hurl- 
butt they visited the springs, got at the facts, the names of the 
parties who were owners, and the occupants. The next day 
Mr. Keep drew up a paper; Dr. Graves made the first sub- 
scription, and he and Mr. Keep went with it to the military 
officers, Baptists, citizens, merchants and others, and soon 
had an amount that nearly covered the price asked, and the 
purchase was made by the individuals as agreed on. The 
whole was to be reported and referred to the convention 
when in session. The convention met, Mr. Keep was elected 
moderator. Correspondence was opened with Governor 
Clark; fourteen hundred orphans of Confederate soldiers 
were reported by him to be then in the State. The conven- 
tion took the whole thing from the hands of those who had 
so far acted only as individuals; accepted the subscription; 
assumed all contracts hitherto made; appointed appropri- 
ate committees ; elected a board of directors, which when or- 
ganized, selected Maj. T. G. Blewett, Columbus, president, 
L. A. Duncan, secretary; and Dr. T. C. Teasdale, general 
agent. President Blewett, at the first meeting of the board, 
became offended and resigned, withdrawing the subscription 
he had made of fifteen hundred dollars. He gave it to Dr. 
William C. Buck. Mr. Keep was unanimously elected in 
his place, president, which position he held until his removal 
to Florida. This move was at length demanded by his 
health, and he became pastor at Jacksonville, where he re- 
mained two years. Thence he removed and bought property 
at Live Oak, Fla., where he buried his first wife in July, 1869. 
At Live Oak, he wrote for a The Baptist" (Memphis), pub- 
lished a secular paper, and at length relinquished all literary 
work and lived out as a carpenter, in order to give his brain 
rest. In 1870 he returned to Memphis and became office ed- 
itor of "The Baptist/' his mind having rested for a time, and 
his health having greatly improved. He was soon elected 
secretary of the Southern Baptist Publication Society and 
secretary of the board of managers. He wrote a full history 
of this society. He resigned his position in it, moved to 



4*4 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Texas and was succeeded by Dr. W. D. Mayfield. While in 
Memphis he had been pastor for a time at Germantown. Be- 
fore going to Texas he served as pastor of the First church, 
Little Rock, Arkansas, accepting this pastorate in May, 1873, 
and continuing eighteen months. On April 27, 1873, just 
before going to Little Rock, he was married to Mrs. S. E. 
Cooper, of the First church, Memphis. On October 1, 1874, 
because of serious internal trouble in the Little Rock church, 
he accepted an appointment as agent in Texas for the Domes- 
tic Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Suc- 
cess in this work being then impossible, he became pastor at 
Anderson, Grimes county, Texas, where he resided at the 
time pf the publication of Dr. Borum's book.— Condensed 
from Borum's Sketches. 

Lewis C. Kellis. This active and energetic minister of 
Jesus was born in Mississippi and spent a considerable por- 
tion of his ministry in our State. He was educated at Sum- 
merville Institute and Mississippi College. After gradua- 
tion he married in Noxubee county and was for a time pas- 
tor at Cooksville and other points accessible. He removed 
to Louisiana in 1874, and became pastor at Alto. Later he 
accepted the pastorate at Trenton and Delhi. After getting 
his field of labor mapped out, he lived at Monroe and sup- 
plied the churches at Bastrop, Oak Ridge, Delhi and Wynne 
Island, situated between the Ouachita and Bayou Macon 
rivers. Remaining for quite a while in this field he removed 
to Texas and became pastor of one of the churches in Hous- 
ton, Texas. He still (1804) resides in Texas in another im- 
portant field, full of labor, energetic, zealous and consecrated. 
He has been quite successful in his work and God's blessing 
has rested upon him. He is now perhaps something over 
forty years of age. Besides his preaching, he is an elegant 
writer and has often contributed to the religious papers in 
the States where he has resided. 

J. n. Kelly. Of the birth, education and early life of J. 
M. Kelly we are without knowledge. He was ordained to 
the full work of the ministry by Rock Branch church, New- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 41 5 

ton county, in 1874. The presbytery was composed of Revs. 
L. P. Murrell, L. B. Fanchur and I. M. Moore. His fields of 
labor have doubtless been restricted to that section of the 
State. 

John Gray Kendall was born in Carroll county, Miss., Oc- 
tober 2, 1846; but in early life removed with his parents to 
Kentucky. He was educated at Shelby College, that State, 
and. afterwards, in 1868, entered the Southern Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary, Greenville, S. C, and remained there two 
full sessions, becoming an English graduate. He was or- 
dained to the full work of the ministry by the Graysville 
church, Todd county, Ky., May 30, 1870. He was pastor at 
Verona and Centre Hill, Mississippi, in 1871 and 1872, and 
at Shannon, Miss., 1872. He was pastor • at Washington, 
Ark., in 1873; Elkton, Ky, in 1874 to 1879; at Guthrie, 
Ky., 1879 to 1883; at New Union, Ky, 1876 to 1878; at 
Blooming Grove, Tenn, 1880 to 1885; at Dripping Spring, 
Ky, 1880 and 1881; at Adams' Station, Tenn, 1883 and 1884; 
at Adairsville, Ky, 1882; at Olivet, Ky, 1884 and several 
following years; at Locust Grove, Ky, 1886 and several fol- 
lowing years; and at Casky, Ky, 1886 and following years. 
He is a native Mississippian and began his ministry in his 
native State. He is talented, cultivated, energetic and is a 
preacher of decided ability. He is now (1894) engaged 
quite successfully in the work of city missionary in the city 
of Waco, Texas; is perhaps upwards of forty-five, in robust 
health and an indefatigable worker. 

J. A. Killingsworth. This minister of Jesus Christ, who 
now (1894) lives at Pittsboro, Calhoun county, and labors in 
the contiguous country, was ordained to the full work of the 
gospel ministry January 21, 1877, by Macedonia church, Cal- 
houn county. The presbytery consisted of T. H. Wilson 
and C. G. Blount. He has served as pastor several churches 
in the adjoining territory. 

Eustace Eugene King, D. D., son of Joseph Monroe and 
Margaret Williams King, was born at Raymond, Hinds county 



4 i6 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 




Mississippi, Sept. 4, 1850. 
His parents were devout 
Christians. His father 
was a Baptist and his 
mother a Methodist. They 
were both called to their 
reward when he was only 
j seven years old, but not 
till they had made lasting 
religious impressions on 
his mind. He is the 
fourth of seven children, 
next to the youngest of 
whom is an only sistei . 
■ His father was a planter, 
and he was left at his 
father's death to a mater- 
nal uncle who brought him 
up on a farm. The civil 
war swept away his fath- 
er's estate and thus he 
with a limited education, at the early age of fourteen was 
thrown on his own resources. He found employment with 
a Methodist minister to do farm work. By his own efforts 
he sustained himself for a part of four years in country 
schools, when he entered Mississippi College, where he took 
an A. B. course. He spent two years in the Southern Bap- 
tist Theological Seminary while it was located at Greenville, 
South Carolina. He became seriously concerned about be- 
coming a Christian when he was eleven years old, and when 
thirteen, professed faith in our Lord and united with the Meth- 
odist church. In a short while he became troubled about his 
baptism, which resulted, after two years of anxious thought, 
prayer and reading the Bible — his only book — in his being 
baptized by the sainted James Nelson, April 7, 1866, into the 
fellowship of the Beulah Baptist church, at Brownsville, Mis- 
sissippi. He was licensed and began preaching when he was 
eighteen years old. His services being in demand, he was 
enabled by preaching to maintain himself both at college and 



REV. E. E. KING, D. D. 



MISSISSIPPLBAPTIST PREACHERS 417 

the Seminary. The ambition of his boyhood was, and the pur- 
pose of his life has been, to be a "good minister of Jesus 
Christ." He was ordained at Brownsville, Miss., the first 
Sunday in August, 1873, Rev. B. W. L. Butt and Rev. T. J. 
Walne, D. D., forming the presbytery. A few hours after 
his ordination he baptized twenty-three into the fellowship 
of the ordaining church, of which he was pastor. During 
the same week he was called on to marry a couple, and the 
following Sunday he had the pleasure of baptizing eighteen 
more converts into the fellowship of the Brownsville church. 

His first pastorate after leaving the Seminary was at Sena- 
tobia, Miss., where he remained six years, and where the 
Lord greatly blessed his labors. The house of worship was 
completed, a neat home for the pastor was built and the 
membership of the church was largely increased. He was a 
supply for a time, while at Senatobia, for a number of neigh- 
boring churches, which were, for the most part, blessed with 
good meetings and large ingatherings. During this pastor- 
ate he did much evangelistic work and was successful in win- 
ning many souls to Christ. In December, 1882, he accepted 
the call of the church at Starkville, one of the strongest 
churches in the State. Starkville was then, as it is now, an 
educational centre, being the seat of the Agricultural and 
Mechanical College and of the Starkville Female Institute. 
Here he did an excellent work, building a good parsonage 
and adding many members to the church. At the earnest 
solicitation of the State Mission Board, he took charge of the 
mission work at Greenville, Miss., January 1, 1886. There 
were only ten members of the little church, and five of these 
were on an average of twenty miles in the country. He soon 
secured one of the best congregations in the city, the church 
became self-sustaining, greatly improved its house of worship 
and built a handsome cottage for the pastor. During this 
pastorate he assisted in the organization of a number of 
churches in the Mississippi Delta. After a second call to the 
First church of San Antonio, he accepted, believing that he 
was following the leadings of Providence. 

May 8, 1877, he was united in marriage to Gussie, daugh- 
ter of Deacon A. H. Frink, of Crystal Springs, Miss. She 
has been a help-meet indeed, and an inspiration to him in 



418 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

all his labors. They are blessed with four children, the eld- 
est of whom is a daughter, and the youngest, Robert Camp- 
bell, is named for a deacon in the Greenville church, a son 
of Judge J. A. P. Campbell, of Jackson, Miss. He has now 
(1894) been pastor of the First church, San Antonio, four 
years, and during this time the church has received three 
hundred and seventy accessions, bought a good lot and built 
a neat chapel on it, paid a balance on another lot, built a 
home for a city missionary, sent out three bands of breth- 
ren and sisters and assisted them in organizing into churches 
and presented each with a good chapel on a desirable lot; 
has improved the parsonage property, the pastor's study and 
the lecture hall; bought a handsome pipe organ; and has 
contributed liberally to the poor and sick of the city, and to 
missions and other denominational ..enterprises, aggregating 
sixteen thousand five hundred dollars. This one church, 
with a membership of only one hundred and ninety-two, has 
grown in these four years into four churches, each owning 
its house of worship with an aggregated membership of 
seven hundred. While Dr. King was pastor of Senatobia the 
"Tate County Record," then edited by Mr. J. C. Roseborough, 
referring to a recent marriage ceremony he had performed, 
said: "Mr. King, the pastor of the Baptist church, as he de- 
serves to seems to be marrying everybody who marries in 
this county.'- In San Antonio it is commonly reported that 
he marries more than twice as many couples as any other 
pastor in the city. The last Sunday in February, 1894, was 
his fourth anniversary as pastor in San Antonio, and, as usual, 
special services were held on the occasion. A great crowd 
was present and there was general rejoicing over what the 
Lord had done for pastor and church. His text was Psa. 
126:3: "The Lord hath done great things for us." Besides 
doing an immense amount of pastoral work, preaching, de- 
livering addresses and special sermons, he has furnished many 
sermons for the Monday daily pap'ers and has contributed 
articles of value to the denominational papers. For two 
years he has been moderator of the San Antonio Association 
and chairman of the Executive Board. He has taken part in 
many ordination services and in the organization of a number 
of churches. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 419 

George W. Knight wa s born in Smith county, Miss., 
June 10, 1856, and was the youngest child, and only son of 
Mr. C. C. Knight and Mrs. A. M. (McLemore) Knight. He 
is of English and Scotch extraction. Being brought up on 
the farm caused him to learn the duties and responsibilities 
of farm life very early; and it gave him an experience, train- 
ing, and discipline to be found only in an active, out-door life. 
His youth was spent in Smith, Perry, Jones, and Winston 
counties, Miss., whence his mother removed to Wayne county, 
where George remained until manhood. When moved by 
the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus, he asked his mother what 
church to join, and she replied, " There is the New Testa- 
ment; read it and decide for yourself." And after spending 
nearly a year searching for the path of duty, he united with the 
Mount Zion Baptist church, Wayne county, Miss., into whose 
fellowship he was baptized by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Touch- 
stone, in September, 1875. He says that he has the best reason 
in the world for being a Baptist, to use his words, " obedience 
to the convictions of the truth compel me to be a Baptist." 
During the first two years of his Christian life, he performed 
only a silent part in the services of the Lord's house, and 
being impressed with the obligation to do more for the Lord, 
he organized the first weekly prayer meeting, and the first 
Sunday-school of his church. These departments of work, 
however, did not satisfy his burning desire for broader fields 
of usefulness. He was licensed to preach in September, 
1877, and after exercising his gifts not quite one year, Mt. 
Zion church (against his judgment, as he was young and had 
not been called to any church) called him to ordination, and 
the pastor, Rev. Wilson West, assisted by Rev. G. D. Taylor 
and Rev. H. C. Mason ordained him to the gospel ministry 
in August, 1878. He entered Mississippi College in Novem : 
ber, 1878, and after four years of hard study, want of means 
and failure of health forced him to leave college in December, 
1882. He engaged in teaching and preaching until 1886, 
when he abandoned teaching and gave his whole time to the 
ministry. He was married to Miss M. V. Bishop, January 
16, 1884, of Wayne county, Miss., whb has added much to 
his usefulness and happiness. 

He spent seven years in the pastorate, serving churches 



420 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

in Southwest Alabama and Southeast Mississippi, preach- 
ing to a number of country churches, and the following towns : 
Isney and Escatawpa, Alabama, and Pachuta, Vossburg, San- 
dersville, Laurel, and Ellisville, Mississippi, where he was 
living when he resigned, in October, 1890, to enter the semin- 
ary at Louisville, Ky., where he obtained his theological edu- 
cation. Since leaving the seminary, he has engaged exclus- 
ively in the evangelistic work, holding successful meetings in 
Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Texas. He is at present 
State Evangelist under the appointment of the Mississippi 
Baptist Convention Board. 

During his ministry nearly a thousand people have been 
added to the Baptist churches where he has held meetings. 
Two years ago he located at Waynesboro, Wayne county, 
Miss., where he still lives. It is proper to state, in this con- 
nection, that he held successful meetings in Louisville, Ky., 
Meridian, Miss., and Mobile, Ala. He states that whatever 
success he has had in the ministry has been due to four causes: 
to God, who has so gloriously blessed him in spite of many 
mistakes; to the Christian training, pious example and Godly 
influence of his mother; to the companionship of an affection- 
ate, faithful Christian wife; to education, which, though in- 
complete, being a graduate of no institution, yet has taught 
him how to study, enabling him to think for himself, show- 
ing him the way to find the truth and opening its portals to 
him. In three revival meetings we have had Mr. Knight with 
us, and without disparaging the labors of any other excellent 
and able minister must say that on the whole his preaching 
has been the most satisfactory we have ever had. He clearly 
and vigorously presents the grand old doctrines of salvation 
by grace and clearly draws the line between the church and 
' the world. 

William B. Kolb, a ustiul minister of Jesus Christ, says: 
" My first religious impressions were made by the example 
and piety of my parents who were Baptists and under the 
ministry of Rev. M. Bennett. I, like most children, thought 
that if I could do more good than evil I would be rewarded 
accordingly, and saved for my own good deeds." At the age 
of seven his parents with their children attended preaching 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 421 

at Elbethel Baptist church where Rev. M. Bennett, pastor, 
in an exhortation, said : " Every knee shall bow and every 
tongue confess," showing- also that salvation is through the 
satisfaction of Christ. He says, " I was convinced of my 
inability to merit anything by my own works. At the age of 
ten my parents died within forty-eight hours of each other, 
after which time, through the influence of evil associates, and 
perhaps for the want of religious training by my guardians, 
I did not embrace religion until near twenty-five years of age. 
At this time my convictions of sin became stronger, I real- 
ized that there was no good in me. I used all means in my 
power, reading the word, secret prayer, preaching, by which 
I thought I could see the way as a small, very small, taper in 
the dark distance. I tried to venture; sinfulness and unwor- 
thiness were in my way. I ventured, knowing that God 
through Christ had saved sinners, but my trouble was, would 
he save me? I believed he could save me, saw he was will- 
ing to save, and was perhaps waiting to save me. I ventured 
on him, gave myself to him, trusted him. When I believed 
he would save me he took me up and I realized peace, joy, 
love to God and to Christians that I never knew before. On 
that morning, August 10, 1850, alone in the grove, all nature 
was beautiful and lovely. But this was not all I expected. 
The Lord had promised good to me. I still wanted and 
looked for more. Consequently I did not unite with the 
church until April 24, 1852, at which time Brother Bennett 
attended Border Springs church, Lowndes county, and 
preached from the Scripture, ' Fear God and keep his com- 
mandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 7 He 
showed me what I was trying to do (keep his command- 
ments), but could not enjoy religion because I had not 
kept his ordinances. I then united with Border Springs 
church and was by Brother Bennett 'buried with Christ in 
baptism 7 which gave me a good conscience. I then felt a 
greater desire to work for God, that it was my imperative 
duty to work for him. I was soon appointed church choris- 
ter, was soon ordained a deacon, engaged in family prayer 
and was active in the Sundav-school. But something 
troubled me. More must be done. Professors are hike 
warm; sinners are going the broad road. I must show all 



422 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

that I love Jesus and will serve him and must pray publicly, 
anywhere. This heavy cross I took up and had much comfort 
for a time, having determined to do my best for Christ, and 
if any one wanted it done better he must do it himself. Soon 
a sense of duty in religious work pressed me harder than ever. 
When in prayer meetings and Sabbath-schools I urged on 
Christians the necessity of working for God and on the sin- 
ners the need of seeking salvation. I felt that this was not 
enough ; more must be done. The cause of Christ is languish- 
ing, sinners are dying in sin. I must give myself to work for 
them; but ignorance and unworthiness induced me to excuse 
myself for a time. The brethren, and especially ministering 
brethren, urged me to preach the gospel. In November, 
1874, at the suggestion of Rev. L. J. Hilburn, the church liber- 
ated me to preach in the bounds of the Columbus Association. 
On July 24, 1875, the church elected me to ordination, and on 
the following day T was ordained to the ministry by a presby- 
tery consisting of W. H. Robinson, J. P. Lee, G. M. Lyles, 
Milton Kenum and L. J. Hilburn. My field has mostly been 
in the northeastern part of the Columbus Association, 
frequently in Yellow Creek Association, and occasionally in 
the eastern part of the Aberdeen and Judson Associations. 
I have charge of these churches (May 0, 1881,) and have way- 
side appointments once per month." This good man passed 
to his eternal reward a few years since, greatly esteemed and 
respected. 

Joel Hansford Lane was born in Rankin county, Miss., 
October 9, 1862. He was licensed to preach by the Clinton 
Baptist church in 1882. -He was educated in Mississippi 
College from which he received honorary degree of A. B. in 
188P>. He attended the Southern Baptist Theological Semin- 
ary one session, 1888 and 1889, graduating in four important 
schools of the seminary. He was ordained by the Salem 
church. Simpson county, January 30, 1885. He was pastor 
of Strong River church in 1880, and of Magnolia and Mc- 
Comb City churches in 1888. During his Seminary course 
he was pastor of the Jeffersonville, Ind., church in 1889. Re- 
turning to his native State he was pastor of the Osyka and 
Amite City (this church is in Louisiana) churches. He is 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 423 

now (1894), and has been for several years located at East 
Fork, and divides his time as pastor equally between East 
Fork and Mars Hill churches. In this field he is accomplish- 
ing a fine work and is greatly appreciated as a good and 
talented minister of Jesus Christ. He is gifted in the pulpit 
and his people would hardly be willing to exchange him for 
John A. Broadus. The presidency of two colleges was offered 
him before he was twenty-seven years of age, East Fork and 
Holmesville, the former of these he himself was instrumental 
in building up. 

Miles L. Lanford was born in Spartanburg county, South 
Carolina, in 1846. When small his father moved to Alabama 
and remained there until the close of the war. He then moved 
to Chickasaw county, Miss. His father was a preacher, and 
always took great interest in training his children up in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord; and the ancestors on 
both sides are all Baptists. In 1868, while Rev. W. H. Rob- 
inson was conducting a series of meetings at Siloam church 
he professed faith in Christ and at once united with that 
church. About the year 1870 he began to feel deeply im- 
pressed with the duty of trying to preach the gospel of Christ 
to lost sinners, but for a long time kept the impression sup- 
pressed as much as possible. He finally became so restless 
about the matter that Jonah-like he fled from duty and moved 
to Texas, but found no relief in this for God was there. He 
then decided to move back to Mississippi. This done, he still 
found no relief. By this time the impression had worked out 
enough to begin to show on him, and the people began to 
talk to him on the subject, but he still tried to deny it. At 
last he became so miserable that he was obliged to yield and 
in May, 1880, the Bnon church, Winston county, liberated him 
to exercise his gifts in the ministry. He says: "I don't be- 
lieve I could have lived twelve months longer without taking 
up the cross." In September, 1881, he was ordained to the 
full work of the ministry, the presbytery being E. Pace and J. 
W. Sims. Since he began preaching he has had many obsta- 
cles to surmount, but he feels that the grace of God has borne 
him along all the while and that his efforts to preach the gospel 



4^4 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

of Christ have been attended with some degree of success, 
for which he thanks God daily. He says: "The first year of 
my pastoral work I had the happy privilege of baptizing forty- 
three converts. To God be all the glory forever and ever." 
Mr. Lanford enjoys the unlimited confidence and esteem 
of every community in which he has preached, and has been 
unusually successful, for he has honored God and God has 
honored him. While missionary of the Louisville Associa- 
tion his work was greatly blessed. He moved to Bell county, 
Texas, in 1884, and has been abundant in labors and has been 
blessed in Texas. He has a good business talent and has an 
interest in a mercantile firm while he gives his time principally 
to preaching the gospel. We have rarely seen a minister of 
Jesus and a Christian brother whom we could take more un- 
reservedly to our heart than Miles Lanford. No one who 
knows him can doubt the genuineness of his humble piety 
and love for Christ. 

Hilliard Westley Lantrip was born in Pontotoc county 
Miss.. Nov. 7, 1865. His father was a farmer, poor 
but honest, was a missionary Baptist and died when 
the son was nine years of age. leaving a wife and four 
children. Being the eldest of the children it was neces- 
sarv for Hilliard to go to the farm to make a support for the 
mother, sister and two little bovs. He attended free school 
three to four months in the year. The Lord was gracious 
to them and thev did not want for bread. At the aee of six- 
teen he professed faith in Christ, joined a missionary Baptist 
church and was baptized by Rev. W. H. Davis. Soon after 
he was called on to prav publiclv and did not refuse. At 
nineteen, with his mother's consent, he left the farm to accept 
a position with Col. Richard Bolton, a leading druggist of 
Pontotoc, who took great interest in him. He learned book- 
keepine under him. At the end of a vear he left Cob Bolton 
to accent a position with a large drv p-oods firm 'in Pontotoc, 
where he was book-keeper six vears. He joined the " I, O. O. 
F." in 1887. and this is the onlv secret organization to which 
he belongs. He was licensed to preach bv th^ Pontotoc 
rhnrrh Mav 8. 1887. and assisted in protracted meeHn^s dur- 
ing the summer months. In winter months he kept books 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 425 

and could always get a position. Finally, he was impressed 
that it was necessary to educate himself and go to work for 
God. In September, 1889, he entered school at Poplar 
Springs, Miss., the Poplar Springs Normal College, a grand 
institution of learning located there. Here he attended 
college fifteen months. At the close of the session of 1891 
and 1892 he went to Lipsey Association, Monroe county. 
Miss., and was elected missionary of the Executive Board of 
that body for three months. At the expiration of that time he 
was re-elected for one-half of his time in 1893. Lebanon 
church, this association, was the first to call him as pastor. 
During 1893 he preached to two churches and at ten mission 
stations in that association. The Poplar Springs church 
called him to ordination in November, 1892, and on Novem- 
ber 13, 1892, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry. 
In the spring of 1889 he completed a course of shorthand 
under a graduate from Nashville, Tenn., which branch he 
sometimes teaches by mail. He taught a class in Poplar 
- Springs Normal College in 1892. He has many books 
bought by money saved. Instead of buying cigars he bought 
books. His mother, sister and brothers are at the old home, 
seven miles west of Pontotoc, Miss. He says : " I owe a great 
deal of my success in life to my mother's teaching. I have 
never forgotten her advice in youth." June, 1893, he wrote: 
"I am now twenty-seven years of age, and, the Lord willing, I 
hope to complete my education. I am a single man." God 
blesses such pluck and energy. Here a later emen- 
dation is necessary. On December 14, 1893, at the 
residence of Mr. and Mrs. Tubb, their daughter, Miss Mary 
Lee Tubb and H. W. Lantrip were united in marriage by Rev. 
W. F. Ausbon. During 1894 Mr. Lantrip has been serving 
the church at Sulligent, Ala., and other churches. At Sulli- 
gent he and his people arose and built a neat and handsome 
house of worship which they joyfully entered in October. 
A bright future seems to lie before Mr. Lantrip. May it be 
fully realized in his life and work. 

Samuel 5. Lattimor^ was born in Rutherford county, 
N. C, March 9, 1811. While he was yet a child his father re- 
moved and settled in Jennings county, Indiana. At about the 



426 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

age of fourteen he became a member of the Literary Insti- 
tute at South Hanover, where he remained, supporting himself 
by his own exertions for about nine years till he completed 
his course in 1833. Some time during this period he became 
a member of the Presbyterian church, and remained in this 
communion for six or seven years. Soon after he left college 
he went to live at Vicksburg, Miss., but soon after went to 
Clinton. Shortly after going to Hinds county he opened a 
school at Society Ridge. In 1834 he was baptized into the 
fellowship of a Baptist church and in the same year was mar- 
ried to Francis A., daughter of Rev. Lee Compere. In 1835 
he was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry, and 
became general agent of the Mississippi Baptist State Conven- 
tion. In 1837 he settled at Middleton, Carroll county, en- 
gaged in preaching and acting as presMent of the literary and 
theological institution then existing at that place. In 1840, 
he removed to Sumter county, Alabama, and became pastor 
of Providence church. In 1847 he was called to the pastor- 
ate of the Macon church, Noxubee county, Miss. After re- 
maining at Macon one year he accepted a very urgent call 
from the Aberdeen church, with an understanding, that he 
would return to Macon, after the lapse of a year. He did 
accordingly return to Macon and remained there until 1856, 
when he again accepted an invitation to take charge of the 
Aberdeen church. He continued in this relation until his 
death which occurred suddenly October 17, 1857. From 
1849 to 1854 he was president of the State Convention. No 
man in his day exercised a stronger influence in the denomina- 
tion in Mississippi than S. S. Lattimore. He was a man of 
marked abilities, warm and generous affections, an eloquent 
preacher, an able controversial speaker and writer and an 
eminentlv successful minister of the gospel. His memoirs 
have been prepared for the press by myself and have been 
awaiting- a publisher since 1860. W. Carey Crane. 

It is a source of profound regret to us that these memoirs 
have never vet been published and that we have not at hand 
now something more extended than this meager outline of the 
life and work of this great and good man, and able and elo- 
auent preacher of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have heard 
Gen. J. Z. George, United States Senator from Mississippi, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 427 

say that he had never heard any minister who could so in- 
sinuate himself into his very soul as S. S. Lattimore. He re- 
garded Lattimore as one of the brightest lights the Mississippi 
pulpit has ever known. So he was esteemed by all who knew 
him. From our boyhood the name of S. S. Lattimore has 
been familiar to us though we never saw him. All over Mis- 
sissippi, "being dead, he yet speaketh," in the lives of many 
Christians and ministers in this and other States. 

Walter Compere Lattimore, son of Samuel S. Lattimore, 
was born in Macon, Miss., September 15, 1856. After attend- 
ing the common schools in the communities in which he 
lived, he received his collegiate education in Mississippi 
College. During his college life, having been already im- 
pressed with the duty of preaching he was pastor of various 
churches which could be reached from Clinton by rail. In- 
heriting a liberal measure of the pulpit fervor and talent of 
both lines of his parentage, the Compere and Lattimore lines, 
his services at an early age were much in demand by the 
churches. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry 
at Oak Grove church, Holmes county, Miss., in May, 1876. 
Our first meeting with W. C. Lattimore was at the State Con- 
vention in Starkville, in 1877, and the halo of glory which 
surrounded the father in our mind rendered W. C. an object 
of peculiar interest. After completing his collegiate course, 
he spent three sessions (1884 to 1887) in the Southern Baptist 
Theological Seminary, becoming an English graduate of the 
Seminary. He preached to several churches in Holmes county, 
and supplied the Kosciusko church during his college course, 
being eminently successful. He was pastor of the Hernando 
church, Miss., from 1882 to 1884, and was greatly appreciated 
there. He was pastor at Cane Run, Fayette county, Ky., 
from 1885 to 1887, and of the Dayton, Ky., church in 1887 
and 1888. In the latter part of the year 1888 he became pastor 
of the large and influential church at Starkville, Miss., which 
required his entire service and paid him a handsome salary. 
While there, through his leadership, the church built a very 
handsome brick church edifice, though not quite completed, 
they were able to use it for worship. Some time in 1892 he 
was married to Miss Dessie, eldest daughter of Dr. T. G. Sel- 



428 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

lers, president of the Starkville Female Institute. Some com 
plications led to his resignation of the church, and accept- 
7 a miS ^ I0n Pastorate in the flourishing city of San Antonio 
iexas. Here he remained about two years and gave up his 
work in order to become pastor at Belton, Texas, the domi- 
cile of Baylor Female College. He is now (1894) engaged 
in the arduous duties of his Belton pastorate and is being 
crowned with a large measure of success. He, as was his 
father, is exceedingly fond of evangelistic work, and both in 
Mississippi and Texas his services have been in demand and 
his labors have been greatly blessed in this department of 
religious effort. He is a pleasing and attractive preacher. 
and is always heard gladly by the crowds who wait upon his 
ministry. r 

Horace Lawrence was born near Woodstock, Vermont, 
1807. His father, Garret Lawrence, emigrated from Europe 
in the early history of the United States and married a young 
widow, Mrs. Green, whose maiden name was Dodge a rela- 
tive of Rev. Daniel Dodge. In consequence of his wife's bad 
health he decided to move south, in 1813. On the way by 
sea, Mrs. Lawrence died and Mr. Lawrence with his only 
son, the subject of this sketch, settled in Augusta, Georgia 
It was there that Horace was educated, at Richmond Academy 
under the tutorship of Dr. W. T. Brantlev, Sr. When only 
nineteen years old he left home and went to Williamsburg 
Kentucky, where he taught the village school. At the age 
of twenty-one he was married to Jane Wilder, second daughter 
of Sampson Wilder, a prominent family in Kentucky In 
1834 he emigrated with the family of his father-in-law, to 
Alabama, and settled at Woodville, where he taught school 
Later he engaged in merchandise, but the general financial 
crash of 1838 reduced him to bankruptcy. About this time 
he and his wife professed religion. They naturallv agreed to 
unite with the Baptist church, and attended a 'conference 
service with that purpose, but in consequence of the bitter de- 
nunciations of missions by the minister in charge, they refused 
to do so. At a later period they joined the Cumberland Pres- 
byterians. Feeling impressed by God's spirit to preach Mr. 
Lawrence joined the North Alabama Presbytery, and was soon 



•es- 
Vlr. 
>on 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 429 

ordained as a minister. He was eminently successful as a 
revivalist and met much favor wherever he preached. 

In 1842 he moved with his family to LaFayette county, 
Mississippi, and settled near LaFayette Springs. He was 
employed by the Oxford Presbytery to labor as an evangelist 
in LaFayette and Panola counties. Wonderful revivals char- 
acterized his labors everywhere. 

In 1844 the Presbytery convened at Oxford, during which 
a resolution was introduced constraining ail ministers and 
elders to have their infants sprinkled according to the church 
ritual under penalty of forfeiting their positions as church 
officials. The result of the discussion was the estrangement 
of several elders and a few of the preachers, among them the 
subject of this sketch, who a little later resigned his work and 
united with the Cypress Creek Baptist church. He and his 
wife were baptized by Elder Wm. Hale in the year 1847, and 
he was ordained as a Baptist minister the same day. That 
same year the Panola Baptist Association employed him to 
labor as missionary, within almost the same bounds which he 
had previously occupied when in the employ of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterians. He labored almost continuously as evan- 
gelist and pastor, baptizing his thousands, until May 15, 1851, 
when he died with pneumonia at his home. His death was 
triumphant, as his life and ministry were faithful. His wife 
is yet living at the advanced age of eighty-five years. 

St. Clair Lawrence was born in Whitley county, Ken- 
tucky, July 6, 1829. He is the oldest son of the late Rev. 
Horace Lawrence and Mrs. Jane Lawrence who at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-five is yet living at her home in Bell 
county, Texas. He was reared and educated mainly in La- 
Fayette county, Mississippi. He was baptized into the Cy- 
press Creek Baptist church near LaFayette Springs in the year 
1848. He gave himself to teaching almost entirely until the 
late war. He joined the army in 1861, but was discharged in 
1862, on account of bad health and was soon after elected 
assessor of taxes for LaFayette county, which position he held 
for two years. In 1863 he was licensed, and soon after or- 
dained by his church, to preach the gospel. He has served 
as pastor in a number of churches in Pontotoc, Chickasaw, 



430 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Monroe, Itawamba, Lee, Tishomingo and Tippah counties. 
He has also labored as Associational Missionary in Aberdeen, 
Tombigbee, Tishomingo and Tippah Associations. He has 
assisted in the organization of twenty-eight Baptist churches, 
baptized not less than two thousand subjects. He has recently 
spent a few years in Texas, as pastor at Nolanville, Bell county, 
During his stay in Texas his services were greatly blessed and 
two of the best churches in Bell county, located in thriving 
towns, Troy and Badgers, were organized, as the result of 
meetings held by him during his sojourn there. At this writ- 
ing, his home is at Blue Mountain, Miss., and he is in the em- 
ploy of Tippah Association as missionary. He has been mar- 
ried twice. His first wife was Sarah E. Moore of Oxford, 
Miss., to whom he was married in 1851. She died at Pontotoc 
Miss., in 1871. In 1872 he married Mrs. Lizzie Eves who is 
yet living. He has three living children; Horace and St. 
Clair — both of whom are connected with the "Baptist Stand- 
ard" of Waco, Texas— and Mrs. McMillen the wife of Rev. J. 
X. McMillen, pastor of the Blue Mountain and Ripley Baptist 
churches. 

Mr. Lawrence is an earnest and effective minister of Jesus 
Christ, sometimes, in his best moments, rising to heights of 
eloquence and wonderfully moving his audience. He is a 
laborious and zealous pastor, looking well after all the inter- 
ests of his churches. As missionary he is faithful, earnest and 
zealous in building up "the waste places of Zion" and seeking 
lost sinners that they might be brought into the fold of Christ. 
As a writer, he wields a graceful and facile pen, and his con- 
tributions to the religious press combine in a large measure 
clearness of thought, breadth of research, and wisdom, com- 
bined with a transparent and elegant style. He has written 
much, and his communications still enrich the "Bapt.st Rec- 
ord/' "Texas Baptist Standard" and other denominational 
papers. He is accurate and skillful in the transaction of de- 
nominational business and his gifts in this direction were rec- 
ognized and used a number of years in the Aberdeen Associ- 
ation, in his being repeatedly elected clerk of that body. In 
his present field of labor he will doubtless accomplished a good 
work, in the Tippah Association as missionary and pastor. 



MISSISSIPPI B4PTIST PREACHERS. 431 

Zachary Taylor Leaveli, From "Mississippi Memoirs ' 
we quote: "There is no man in the State of Mississippi who 
takes higher rank in theological and educational affairs than 
does Prof. Z. T. Leaveli, Carrollton, Miss. These two subjects 
lie very near his heart, and to them he is devoting the best 
years and strongest energies of his life. He was born in Pon- 
totoc county, Miss., August 30, 1847, and is a son of Capt. 
James and Emily (Worthington) Leaveli. The father was a 
native of South Carolina, and served as a captain in the mili- 
tia of his State. He removed to Mississippi about the year 
1840, and located in the northern portion of the State ; there he 
resided until his death, which occurred in 1870. His wife had 
been called to her eternal rest two years previous, in 1868. 
The subject of this notice grew to manhood in his native State; 
he acquired a thorough education at the University of Oxford, 
Miss., and was graduated from this institution in 1871. De- 
siring to enter the ministry he entered upon a three years' 
theological course at Greenville, S. C, in the Southern Baptist 
Theological Seminary. This college has since been removed 
to Louisville, Ky. Prof. Leaveli here pursued his studies with 
that ardor which is only born of a sincere desire to succeed, 
and to succeed in the highest sense of the word. When a lad 
of thirteen years he had united With the church, and all his 
hopes and aspirations from boyhood had lain in this path. 
Soon after his graduation, in 1871, he was licensed to preach, 
and he took his first pastorate at Dalton, Ga. He was after- 
ward stationed at Murfreesboro, Tenn., and then at Oxford, 
Miss. ; there he presided over the Baptist church for six years. 
He then resigned his position, and for two years was the fin- 
ancial agent of Mississippi College. In 1882 he accepted a 
call to Natchez, Miss., and served as pastor of the Baptist 
church there for five years. The cause of education, which is 
a twin sister to the work of the church, is a subject in which the 
Professor has taken a deep interest. In 1890 he resigned his 
pastorate in Natchez and came to Carrollton to take charge of 
the Carrollton Female College, which he had purchased with 
the hope of giving it new impetus and life. This institution at 
that time was at a low ebb, the attendance being quite small. 
The experience, energy and will that have been brought to bear 
have been telling in their influence. The standard has been 



\432 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

elevated, the attendance has been increased to one hundred 
and twenty and the future is most promising. Professor 
Leavell is assisted in this work by a corps of seven superior 
teachers. The school has already established a reputation for 
thoroughness that will go far toward attracting a fine class of 
students. The buildings are ample, the location is healthy 
and the accommodations are excellent for young ladies who 
desire a good, substantial education. Professor Leavell was 
married at Rome, Ga., July 22, 1874, to Miss Julia Bass, a 
daughter of Col. Nathan Bass, of Macon, Ga., a man well 
known thoroughout the State as a representative of his dis- 
trict in Congress. Mrs. Leavell was reared in Macon, where 
she acquired a good education and attained many accomplish- 
ments. She is the mother of two children: Carrie and Anna 
May. The Professor is of that genial*; social disposition cal- 
culated to win the heart of the young. He is a highly esteemed 
member of the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar; he 
also belongs to the Knights of Honor." 

During the summer of 1894 Dr. Leavell resigned the 
presidency of Worthington Female Institute, at Carrollton, 
and after much prayerful consideration accepted the pastorate 
of the church at Clinton, the domicile of Mississippi College, 
and entered upon his duties there with the beginning of the 
session in September. This is confessedly a difficult and im- 
portant pastorate, but there is a general feeling that Dr. Leavell 
is specially adapted to the place. He is able, genial, magnetic 
and industrious. He has an excellent voice, a pleasing delivery, 
and is possessed of a fine administrative ability. He is wise 
and careful as to making mistakes which would mar his use- 
fulness. 

During this year ( 1894) he has published in the "Baptist 
Record," a valuable series of historical papers, called; "Sixteen 
Years Among Mississippi Baptists," which bring out vividly 
the salient points of Baptist history in the State durng that per- 
iod. They are an important contribution to the history of 
Mississippi Baptists and it is to be hoped that they will in the 
near future be published in a more permanent form. 

Amos Lee was for some years a minister in the Louisville 
Association. Rev. W. H. Head writes in 1884: "I would 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 433 

not mention here the name of this brother, so little did I really 
know of him, but for the purpose of relating an incident that 
occurred at a church, Long Creek, Attala county, when he 
was pastor there. In traveling I once lay by on the Sabbath 
in that vicinity, and attended service at that church being an 
entire stranger at the time to pastor and people and they to 
me. It so chanced that Brother W. B. Lloyd was also present, 
and he, too, was a stranger there, though having just moved 
into the neighborhood. And also there came out to meeting 
there that day a brother Burleson (I think it was) of Texas, 
traveling in the interest of the college at Waco, perhaps, he 
also an entire stranger. It proved to be the day set apart for 
the ordination to the gospel ministry of J. A. Linder, and the 
presbytery who had been invited were none of them present. 
Brother Amos Lee, the pastor learning of the strange preach- 
ers present, at once asked us all to assist in the ordination. 
Lloyd and I declined for the reason it is said, 'Lay hands sud- 
denly on no man/ which we thought we would be doing in 
this case if we were to take part in the ordination. The 
Texas brother, however, consented to act and the ordination 
proceeded. Brother Burleson preached from Isa. 18:1, 'Woe 
to the land shadowing with wings, which lieth beyond the 
rivers of Ethopia, etc' The land was made the United States, 
because looking beyond Ethopia from Palestine it is the first 
land, and wingrs refers to the national standard. He made 
quite a spread-eagle harangue about the greatness of the 
United States. Some of us did not accept the interpretation, 
but were quiet listeners." Mr. Lee was for some years a use- 
ful pastor of the Louisville Association, but of his subsequent 
history we are not informed. 

Ben Lee was a minister of the Yazoo Association, who 
died in early life, and who is thus mentioned by Rev. T. S. 
Wright: "Brother Ben Lee was raised in our midst. He 
was ordained at Harland's Creek church. He was a pious, 
earnest, good preacher. He was pastor at Harland's Creek 
a year or so. He then moved into the Central Association, 
and was occupying a very important field, and was rapidly 
improving in the Christian and ministerial graces, when, sud- 
denly, the Master called him home/' 



434 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PPEACHEPS. 

C. C. Lee, of this minister, Rev. W. H. Head in 1884, 
says: "For a short time I had some intimate acquaintance 
with this brother and esteemed him highly. He was an able 
preacher and a good man. He was pastor of Enon church, 
Winston county, for some time and while there was thought 
at one time, to be inclining in doctrine to Campbellism, but 
proved sound in the faith of Baptists on investigation. He 
moved away and I lost his acquaintance. He is now living in 
Texas and is useful there." 

J. A. Lee, the fourth son of Sherod and Mrs. Sarah E. 
Lee was born May 30, 1861, in Hinds county, Miss. His 
father was a farmer and gave four years of faithful service as a 
private in the late war, and died in the spring of 1805, leaving a 
wife and four small boys. Mrs. Sarah *E. Lee, the mother of 
J. A., was a woman of great physical and mental strength and 
determination, and succeeded in making a support for the 
family till the fall of LS(ii>, when she was married to Mr. T. D. 
Hudspeth. 

J. A. Lee left the farm in the fall of 1881 and accepted a 
position in a wagon shop, which he held for about eighteen 
months. After giving up the shop work he accepted a po- 
sition as clerk in a confectionery and undertaker's shop, which 
he held for two years. After this he held various positions as 
may be seen from the following: He was with G. W. McCree, 
one month in a retail whisky shop; five months in the hard- 
ware store of J. Schaffer of Yicksburg; nine months in a re- 
pair shop, at Wesson, Miss., and two years in the Mississippi 
Mills. While working in the Mills, he met Miss Fannie V. 
Sanders, and was manied to her, June 23, 1885, Rev. R. H. 
Purser, officiating. His religious and educational advantages 
were limited. The family lived in the country and were sub- 
ject to the imperfect public school system and his education 
at nineteen was nothing more than a smattering, of reading, 
writing, spelling, grammar and arithmetic. His religious ad- 
vantages were equally as limited as his educational. His 
mother in her younger days belonged to the Baker's Creek 
Baptist church, in Hinds county, and after its dissolution she 
held her letter quite a number of years, and as she had access 
to no Baptist church, she joined the Methodist, in the sum- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 435 

mer of 1872 or 1873. His step-father was a worldly man and 
made no preparations for the family to attend religious ser- 
vices, and the only religious training, was by a Christian 
mother, cut off from all church privileges, and a little union 
Sunday-school, held during the spring and summer months in 
a country school house. The only church, to which he had 
access, was a Methodist church about seven miles from home. 
At eighteen he attended a meeting at this church, was con- 
verted and received into its membership. While attending 
the union Sunday-school, which was superintended by a good 
Baptist brother he w T as impressed with the fact that Christ 
was immersed in the Jordan, and was therefore dissatisfied 
with sprinkling, which he received when admitted into the 
Methodist church. 

He demanded immersion at the hands of the pastor who 
promised to attend to it, but failed (thank the Lord he did). 
At the age of twenty he moved to Edwards Depot, and being 
dissatisfied with his church membership and forming new 
associates, he was lead off and for two years led a dissipated 
life. In retrospecting the past he often said, "though cast 
down, yet not destroyed; though backslidden, yet not lost." 
When he came to himself, he was in the city of Vicksburg, 
feeding upon the husks of worldliness, such as, drinking with 
the boys, keeping late hours, reading dime novels and attend- 
ing the theater. Finding himself in this condition, he quietly 
retrospected the past, looked closely at the present and as far 
into the future as possible and then resolved; I will leave this 
city, return to the Lord and join the Baptist church. These 
resolutions were put into effect at once. He gave up his situ- 
ation, left Vicksburg on the first day of Jan. 1884, and re- 
turned to the country near his old home, where he remained 
one month. On the thirteenth of February he left Edwards 
for Wesson, and the following September was immersed into 
the membership of the Wesson Baptist church, by Rev. R. H. 
Purser. In a few weeks after his connection with the Baptist 
church, his pastor asked him to conduct the prayer meeting, 
which he did with fear and trembling, and this may be con- 
sidered the beginning of his public' life. 

On January 6, 1886, he was licensed by the Wesson church 
to preach, and on January 9, 1886, he matriculated as a stu- 



436 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST] PREACHERS. 

dent of Mississippi College. His college course was fraught 
with many difficulties. When licensed to preach, he was 
second foreman in one department of the Mississippi Mills, 
receiving one dollar and fifty cents per day. which was barely 
sufficient to support himself and wife. His feelings were, woe 
is me if I preach not the gospel, and he thought too; how can 
I preach without preparation? and how can I prepare without 
school advantages? and how can I attend school with a wife 
and no money? Thus we see some of the difficulties that 
stood in the way at the beginning. See how he overcame 
them; first, he gave up his position in the mill, which was his 
only means of support. Second, his wife consented to remain 
with her mother for six months, that he might get started. 
Third, he threw himself upon the Lord and the hearts of his 
brethren, and with almost no education, but few dollars in 
money and twenty-five years of experience, he entered school, 
with a determination to get as much as possible that would 
help him in the Master's cause. 

He remained in school from the 9th of January till the 
last of May. He preached his first sermon, at Mt. Pisgah 
church, three miles north of Clinton on May 10, 1886. Text, 
John, 0:08. "To whom shall we go? for thou hast the words 
of eternal life?"' During the vacation he and wife worked in 
the Mississippi Mills that he might be able to return to school 
in September. In September, 1880, he returned to school 
with his wife and had five dollars in money. He remained 
in school this time until April, 1887, when the Lord called 
upon him to give up his wife. This sad event caused him to 
leave school with his own health very much impaired. He re- 
turned to AYesson and on the first day of June he buried his 
babe that was just two and a half months old. 

During the vacation of 1887, he taught school and re- 
turned to college in September. Through the aid of his asso- 
ciation (Fair River) and by doing his own cooking he was 
able to stay during the whole of the session of 1887 and 1888. 
During the vacation months of 1S88, he gave his whole time 
to preaching in protracted meetings in South and Southwest 
Mississippi, and the Lord blessed his preached word to the 
conversion of many sinners. 

He returned to school in September, 1888, and remained 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 437 

till Jan. 1st, 1889. He accepted the work at Courtland, Miss., 
Jan. 1st, 1889, and held the pastorate there five years. While 
at Courtland he had the care of the church at Pope's Station, 
Antioch, Tilatoba and Harrison. He was married to Mrs. 
L. J. Floyd, December 24, 1890. E. W. Spencer officiating. 
In November, 1893, he accepted the pastoral care of the Cold- 
water, Arkabutla and Mt. Zion churches and is now (Febru- 
ary, 1894) at work in his new field, where he is succeeding 
finely and constantly growing in the esteem and favor of his 
people. 

James W. Lee, the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Jasper county, Miss., December 23, 1860. His parents, 
J. D. Lee and Elizabeth Lee (nee Ellis), gave him the 
best of training for a useful life. Whilst he enjoyed 
only limited advantages in the period of his youth for an edu- 
cation, yet with the best of pious home T training, and by mak- 
ing good use of the country schools he was able to enter the 
Sophomore class upon his entrance at college. He grew up 
under the ministry of the well known preacher Rev. William 
Thigpen, to whose influence much of his fidelity to Baptist 
principles is due. He was converted at the age of twelve years 
and joined Salem church, near his home, at the age of sixteen. 
He entered Mississippi College in September, 1882, was a fine 
student, ranking among the best in his class. He graduated 
in the B. S. degree, in June, 1885. After finishing his course 
at college, he entered the Blue Mountain Male Academy as 
teacher, but this was not to be his life calling; for while a stu- 
dent in Mississippi College, he yielded to a long felt impression 
to preach the gospel. So within one year after entering upon 
class work in the Blue Mountain Academy he was called to 
preach statedly to the Pleasant Hill church. The Blue Moun- 
tain church set him apart to the ministry in May, 1886. Mr. 
Lee attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at 
Louisville, Ky., one session, and in the vacation following be- 
came a pulpit supply to the Hernando church. He was so ac- 
ceptable to this church that the brethren there prevailed upon 
him to become their pastor. He remained with them a num- 
ber of years, highlv esteemed, and successful to the end. 
While pastor of the Hernando church he preached statedly to 



43^ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the Coldwater church, and also to churches in the country. In 
all these fields he left an enduring monument to his labors in 
enlarged and developed churches. He became very influential 
in that part of the State, in the Coldwater Association. .For 
several years he was a leading member of the Executive Board 
of this body, and also its chairman. While pastor at Her- 
nando he married the daughter of Deacon Whitley, Miss Lena, 
a lady of great force of character, and happily endowed to be 
the wife of a minister. Mr. Lee acknowledges that much of 
his success in the pastorate is due to the tact, patience, and wis- 
dom of his companion. Mr. Lee next took charge of the 
Forty-first Avenue church at Meridian, where he remained 
nearly two years, greatly building up and strenghtening the 
church during his pastorate connection. He resigned this 
church at Meridian to accept the care of the church at Grenada. 
Since his removal to Grenada the church there divided by a 
number withdrawing to form a separate body. With this 
separating body Mr. Lee cast his lot. The old Baptist church 
house, then owned by the Cumberland Presbyterians, was pur- 
chased, the new church taking the name of "Central Baptist 
church." Soon after getting possession of their house an ex- 
ploding or falling lamp caused its burning, but already and so 
soon after their misfortune, they have a new church building 
well under way of construction. Mr. Lee is a clear strong 
gospel preacher; sociable and sympathetic in his nature, popu- 
lar, yet courageous, gentle, yet firm, meek and patient, vet out- 
spoken in his convictions. He is rather evangelical in his 
preaching, abounding in the doctrines of grace. He is 
yet young, and is growing in strength: has a vigorous con- 
stitution, a clear strong voice, and under God's favor he may 
be expected to grow in the ministry to greatness in the 
line of usefulness. 

Herman James Legge was born December 31, 1848, in 
the West Indies, on the Trinidad Island. He is of English de- 
scent with a strain of Holland. His parents came to the 
L"nited States when he was a small boy, and a few months after 
their arrival he lost his mother. His father, C. S. Legge, after 
living in several northern States, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, 
Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and probably others that he 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 439 

does not remember, came to Tennessee in about 1859. In 1861 
the family came to Mississippi, since which time he has lived 
in Panola county, near Sardis, during which time he was mar- 
ried to Miss Fannie V. Bishop, the second daughter of Mr. 
William Bishop. His early educational advantages were 
limited to only a few months in a country school, though after 
he entered the ministry he went to school in Sardis a few 
months to Capt. J. A. Rainwater. The balance he obtained 
at home the best he could. In the latter part of the summer 
of 1865 he professed a hope in Christ, while not quite seventeen 
years of age. He exclaims: "Thanks be unto the blessed 
Father, who rules all things according to the counsel of his own 
will, for arresting me by his Holy Spirit, and bringing me to 
his Son, in whom I found life and salvation. I have cherished 
that hope for nearly twenty-nine years, and as I grow older I 
feel that it grows stronger." In the year 1867 he joined the 
Methodists without any study of the subject of church mem- 
bership. Thinking his father was right he followed him, soon, 
however, he became dissatisfied, and, after much study, became 
convinced that he was in error. He gave up all and decided 
to follow Christ, and spent an evening of rejoicing and delight, 
the third Sabbath in September, 1872, when he reached this 
decision. He joined the Sardis Baptist church, and was bap- 
tized by the pastor, Rev. C. B. Young, on the date above men- 
tioned. In December, 1874, he received, upon his request, a 
letter of dismission from the Sardis church, Rev. W. H. Barks- 
dale, then pastor, and in January, 1875, joined Pleasant Hill 
Baptist church, Panola county, Rev. D. M. Lowry, pastor, 
Pleasant Hill soon dissolved and Mr. Legge and wife united, 
in its organization, with Hebron church, where he and wife 
and four children are now members. Very soon after his con- 
version he felt a strong desire to do something for our Heav- 
enly Father. He felt a strong love for sinners and earnestly 
craved their salvation. In the years 1873 and 1874 he had a 
burning desire to tell sinners of the wondrous love of God, 
in sending his Son to save them, and would find himself in his 
prayer-meeting talks trying to teach sinners the way. How- 
ever, he could not think of entering the ministry. He thought 
of the great responsibility and could not help but shrink back. 
At that time he could scarcely read at all. He was in great 



440 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

trouble, as some of the brethren began to find out that he had 
impressions to preach and wanted to liberate him. He had 
planned to go to school two or three years and then try to 
preach. But as he was poor and was member of a church the 
members of which were poor he had to give up the plan of 
further education. He was perplexed in forming a decision. 
His impressions grew stronger; and the church urged him to 
receive license. He still refused to take such a step, until, on 
Saturday before the fourth Sunday in December, 187G, Pleas- 
ant Hill church, on the motion of Mr. J. B. Bourland, an ex- 
cellent member, by vote granted him license to preach, teach, 
exhort or exercise his gifts in any way the gospel might di- 
rect. On the first Sunday in May, 1 877, he made his first effort 
to preach. On the last Sunday in July, 1878, Pleasant Hill 
church, by a presbytery consisting of Revs. C. B. Young, E. W. 
Henderson, and D. M. Lowrey, ordained him to the full work 
of the ministry, the motion for his ordination having been 
made by Mr. P. P. Poindexter. In September, 1878, he re- 
ceived and accepted a call to the pastorate of Midway church. 
During the years from his ordination to the present (1894) he 
has served as pastor from two to four churches. Having 
preached some in Arkansas and Texas, yet his fields of labor 
have been in the Coldwater and Oxford Associations, with the 
following churches; Midway, Xew Hope (La Fayette county). 
Tyro, Union, Salem, Mastodon, Amity, Strayhorn, Mclver, 
Hebron, White Oak Grove, Looxahomo, and Antioch in the 
Coldwater Association, and Good Hope and Spring Port in the 
Oxford Association. 

He has narrowly escaped with his life several times. Once 
a horse ran away with him, dragging him by the foot for some 
distance while his head was on the ground. At another time 
he was rescued from drowning in the Mississippi river, near 
Memphis. In 1875 he had a fall of forty-two feet from a tree 
which Jie was "topping", " and from which he accidentallv re- 
ceived this fall. The result of the fall was broken bones, a 
bruised body and much suffering. He says : "The Lord has 
been very good to me. Surely goodness and mercy shall fol- 
low me all the days of mv life/' 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



441 




Charles L. Lewis was 

born in Neshoba county, 
Miss., near Philadelphia, 
October 2, 1853. His 
father, R. P. Lewis, was 
a well-to-do farmer. His 
mother, E. M. Lewis, 
was a true Christian and 
a highly refined lady. 
He is the fifth of a fam- 
ily of nine children. His 
chances for early train- 
ing were very scant and 
poor, for he was just 
seven years old when 
the war began, and all 
Southerners understand 
that. He was always a 
leader among the boys 
CHARLES L. LEWIS. and had many friends. 

He was neither really good nor really bad. He spent nearly 
all of his time till twenty-two years old in hard work on the 
farm. He was converted and joined the church at eighteen 
years of age, and was baptized by Rev. O. F. Breland, on the 
last Sabbath in September, 1872. He was licensed to preach 
September 28, 1876. This caused him to determine on a bet- 
ter education. He entered Mississippi College in the fall of 
1876. While here, in order to meet expenses, he cut wood, 
made fires, swept rooms, took up ashes, and rang bells, for the 
professors. He did his own cooking nearly all the time he 
was there. Some months he would live the whole month on 
two dollars and fifty cents; many months on less than three 
dollars per month. He was in the college four and a half ses- 
sions, was in the senior class when his eyes became so weak, 
from a previous attack of measles, that he had to study in a 
dark room for a month. He, therefore, did not graduate, 
but had a class standing right at the top until he was bound to 
stop. He taught school five ten-months sessions; and was 
county superintendent of education two years (1878 and 1879). 



442 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

He was ordained to the full work of the ministry by the 
Clinton church, the presbvterv being W. S. Webb, D. D., 
Walter Hillman, LL. D., E. C. Eager, M. T. Martin, and J. 
B. Gambrell, D. D., on March 27, 1881. On September 30, 

1885, he was married to Miss Jennie Gully, a young lady of 
one of our oldest and best Southern families, who easily traces 
her ancestry back to the colonial days of our country. He was 
proctor of Mississippi College three years, 1884, 1885 and 

1886. He became pastor in 1886, but during his college 
course had supplied several churches before this. He has 
been pastor of the Fannin, Oakdale, Salem, Mount Pisgah, 
Chapel Hill, Utica and Raymond churches in Central Associa- 
tion, and of five churches in other associations. He has never 
had any church to manifest the least dissatisfaction in regard 
to him. Churches have always insisted upon his remaining 
with them as pastor. In all his life's work he has been to no 
place where he would not be willing to go again. It would 
be nothing more than the truth to say that he has succeeded 
at whatever he has tried to do if the conditions of success were 
present. Mr. Lewis has been a close student for the last eight- 
een years. As a pastor he has ever had a most pleasant work. 
During his pastoral life he has baptized five hundred and sev- 
enteen people. In the midst of a very delightful pastorate he 
was elected by the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College, 
on November 20, 1803, as the Financial Agent of the College 
and still (November, 1894) continues in that work, making 
many friends and doing much good for the institution he repre- 
sents. He has been in Hinds county, during the past eighteen 
years nearly all the time. During the past five years he has lived 
in Raymond where he owns a nice home well furnished. When 
elected to the financial agency his pastorate was Raymond and 
Utica, the two best towns on the X. J. and C. railway between 
Jackson and Natchez. 

Mr. Lewis is a forcible and pleasant speaker, fluent and 
earnest, and compels a hearing, especially when aroused and 
on his special theme As when a boy, so now he makes many 
friends wherever he goes, both for himself and for the college. 
He is a preacher of decided ability and force in the pulpit. The 
results of preaching we would judge would be that of men and 
women moved because of judgments overwhelmingly con- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 443 

vinced by the strong reasons of the gospel. He piles upon 
them the logic and argumentation of Jesus Christ and him 
crucified, until the judgment cannot but be convinced unless 
it is closed to the power of reason. 

J. M. Lewis, M.D., was born in Spotsylvania county, Va., 
May 10, 1832. He moved with his parents to Kentucky and 
settled in Franklin county when he was four months old, 
where he was reared. He moved to Mississippi in November, 
1855, settling near some celebrated springs in Madison county. 
Feeling impressions of duty to preach the gospel he was at 
length ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry by the 
New Hope church, Madison county, in August, 1856, the pres- 
bytery being Revs. D. E. Burns, E. C. Eager, V. W. Brock, 
and B. Whitfield. His first pastorate was of the New Hope 
and Livingston churches where he remained eight years. In 
1865 he located at Brandon and became pastor of the Brandon 
and Liberty churches, remaining in this pastorate two years. 
Closing his work with these churches, he became pastor at 
Canton, a wealthy and influential church at that time, in 1867, 
where he remained for five years. During these years Dr. 
Lewis was an influential and active participant in the work of 
the State Convention and in the general work of the denomin- 
ation in the State. From Canton he went to New Orleans and 
became pastor of the First Baptist church of that city, remain- 
ing three years. He resigned his work in New Orleans in 
1873 in order to become pastor of the Baptist church in Jef- 
ferson, Texas. In 1876 he returned to Mississippi and be- 
came pastor again at Brandon. In 1878 he again left Missis- 
sippi and became pastor of the church in Frankfort, Ky. In 
1885 he became pastor of Mount Vernon, East Hickman and 
Cane Run churches, Ky. In 1891 the call of the church of 
Greenville brought him back to Mississsippi, and he served 
that church acceptably for several years. He still resides in 
Greenville, but gives his ministerial labors to important 
churches in the famous Delta county, at Hollondale and Rol- 
ing Fork. Dr. Lewis was educated by his father, who was 
a noted educator of Virginia and Kentucky. He graduated 
from Transylvania College in 1854 as a physician and contin- 
ued to practice until he entered actively upon the work of the 



444 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ministry in his pastoral relations. He has baptized with his 
own hands four thousand one hundred and twenty-one per- 
sons, has married five hundred and six couples, and is yet 
active and seems well fitted for many more years of good ser- 
vice in the great work of the ministry. He is one of the lead- 
ing pastors in the influential Deer Creek Association. 

J. W. Lipsey. The subject of this sketch, or rather of this 
brief mention, was at one time one of the leading pastors in 
North Mississippi, and particularly in the Coldwater Associa- 
tion. For a number of years his home was at Coldwater ; and 
he also resided at Independence. He is now (in 1894) between 
fifty and sixty years of age. He performed an immense 
amount of missionary work within the Coldwater Association, 
gathering many converts and organizing many churches and 
building up and strengthening others. He was the principal 
factor in the organization of the Senatobia church, and was 
pastor for some years. He was pastor for some years at Cold- 
water, and while pastor there planned and led in the building 
of the present neat church edifice there. He was also pastor 
at Peach Creek, Panola county. Hickory Grove, Tate county, 
Mt. Zion, De Soto county, and other churches in the Coldwater 
Association. Later he was city missionary in Memphis and 
did an excellent work in this field of labor. He was pastor 
several years of the church at Fayetteville, Arkansas. Leav- 
ing Fayetteville he became pastor at Lonoke, Ark., where he is 
at present (1894) located. Mr. Lipsey was educated at Union 
University, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and his whole subsequent life, 
religiously aut per literas has been an honor and a credit to his 
alma mater. Of course, we cannot possibly, without any data, 
give any adequate view of his life and labors. He is a preacher 
of rare ability, very forcible and earnest in manner, and 
abounding in argument and strong reason. He is fond of 
preaching the great doctrines of grace as taught by Paul and 
other inspired writers, and never wittingly dodges any controv- 
ersial point in his preaching. He is a man of strong convic- 
tions and has the courage of his convictions. Boldly preach- 
ing from strong convictions of truth of course makes him some 
bitter enemies as well as strong friends. In July, 1883, he 
preached the introductory sermon before the Baptist State 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 445 

Convention at Crystal Springs, which was published in the 
"Baptist Record." It was a sermon of great breadth and vol- 
ume of thought. Mr. Lipsey has also been a frequent writer 
for the religious newspapers and writes with the same ease, 
vigor and perspicuousness which characterize his speech. In 
this way he has often enriched the columns of the denomina- 
tional papers and accomplished much good. May his life be 
spared yet many years for usefulness in the Master's vineyard. 

Plantus I. Lipsey, son of J. W. Lipsey, was born at Inde- 
pendence, De Soto county, Miss., and is now possibly twenty- 
six or twenty-eight years of age. He received his literary 
training in the Southwestern Baptist University, Jackson, 
Tenn., and in the University of Mississippi, Oxford, from one 
of which he received the degree of A. B. Finishing his collegi- 
ate course he entered the Southern Baptist Theological Semi- 
nary and spent three sessions there from October, 1886, to 
June, 1889. At the Seminary he took the entire course, becom- 
ing, June, 1889, a full graduate. He also took some studies, out- 
side of the regular course, in Patristic Greek, German, Coptic 
and History of Doctrines. He was ordained to the full work 
of the ministry by the church at Columbus, Indiana, June, 
1889. He immediately became pastor of the church which or- 
dained him, and continued successfully in this pastorate for a 
time, until, in 1890, the health of pastor R. A. Cohron having 
failed and he having resigned, Mr. Lipsey was called to the 
pastorate of the church at Vicksburg. In the meantime he had 
been united in marriage with the accomplished and cultured 
daughter of Dr. J. L. Johnson, the Columbus pastor. Re- 
maining in this important pastorate about two years or more 
he was compelled to relinquish it on account of the frail health 
of his wife. He then removed in 1892 to Indianola, Sun- 
flower county, where he became pastor, also preaching 
neighboring churches. He, however, remained here only a 
short time, when he resigned his work in order to become 
pastor of the church at Murfreesboro, in the mountains of 
East Tennessee. At this time (November, 1894), he is the 
efficient and esteemed pastor of the Murfreesboro church, in 
the town where his father received his literary course years 
ago. 



446 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Luther R, Little. The subject of this sketch was born in 
North Alabama, February IS, 1872. He was the youngest of 
eight children. His father moved to North Mississippi when 
Luther was only four years old. At the age of fiiteen he was 
converted and united with the Baptist church at Booneville, 
Miss., where his father then lived. In less than one year after 
joining the church he was licensed to preach. In the fail of 
1888 he entered Mississippi College, from which he was gradu- 
ated in May, 1893. By heroic effort, self-sacrifice and toil he 
was sustained while in school. Luther Little has held several 
pastorates. His first was at Holly Springs, Miss. He spent 
one vacation as pastor of Wall Street Baptist church, Natchez, 
Miss. Besides these two pastorates he supplied several smaller 
churches while in college. His best energies have been, how- 
ever, in the direction of evangelistic labors. The Lord has 
blessed his preaching in the past, though it was the effort of a 
very young man. We can but hope that he will live worthy 
of his high vocation and the honor which God has placed upon 
him in calling him into the greatest work that human hands can 
do. His great ambition to do good is encouraged by past 
successes and blessings. He believes that earnestness is the 
greatest requisite in Christian work. He is full of hopes. 

William B. Lloyd. Of this excellent minister Rev. W. H. 
Head writes in 1884: "In extreme age and feebleness Brother 
Lloyd is now living near Sallis in Attala county. Miss., uni- 
versally beloved. He is too well known to need any thing to 
be said in his praise now, but will soon have passed away and 
some sketch from the recollection of one who has known him 
long may not be uninteresting hereafter. I can only speak of 
my personal recollections of him. He was the first Baptist 
preacher, I think, of whom I had any knowledge in Mississippi, 
when I was a boy and did not care to make the acquaintance of 
such men. I afterwards became better acquainted, indeed quite 
intimate, with him, and labored with him in several meetings 
when I was young in the ministry. Ever since, I have known 
him more or less. I have never heard anything to his disad- 
vantage but all to his praise. His living record now is that of 
a good man. After a long life in abundant labors in the gospel 
that were greatly blessed, winning souls to Christ, and the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 447 

love of all to himself, his life is like a long unclouded summer 
day and its sun, lingering and slowly declining, will soon peace- 
fully sink to rest. But how can we photograph a memory 
sketch of him as a preacher? The common people heard him 
gladly; and still gladly heard him again and agam. Yet after 
hearing him, no one perhaps ever thought of commending his 
sermons particularly for any display of ability in them. In 
listening to him people would sometimes wearily wait for him 
to get started in preaching which it would seem he would not 
do, and sometimes did not do. Some hearers at times would 
be almost irritated at his languid, indolent, lifeless talk. Some 
would smile at an odd, quaint remark, and then weep at some 
touching pathos from him. Yet all heard him gladly. Why? 
He preached the gospel and told the old, old, story of Jesus 
and his love; and, though sometimes perfunctorily, when his 
own feelings were unmoved (he never trained his voice to affect 
what he did not feel), yet when aroused himself, as often he was, 
his hearers were at once aroused with him, and then they wept 
with him that wept and rejoiced with him that did rejoice. 
The transparent, honest sincerity of the man in whatever he 
said or did was in itself a sermon known and read of all ; I think 
he never extended his labors in preaching a great deal. In his 
humble opinion of himself, he probably thought the adage 
applicable to himself that 'homely features should stay at 
home.' He might have been deficient in missionary zeal, 
though a missionary Baptist. He could not have made a good 
financial agent to collect money for missions. At least I never 
knew him to take up a collection for anything, nor to insist 
upon a salary as pastor. He was beloved as a pastor, not for 
this reason, but as a lovable man; and he trained his people 
to 'keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.' " 

He was, in 1881, the oldest Baptist preacher in Mississippi. 
On October 8, 1889, he peacefully and calmly passed away at 
his home near Sallis station, Attala county, Miss., greatly hon- 
ored and esteemed. The "Record" speaks thus: 

"A Great Life Ended. — October 8, 1889, at his home, near 
Sallis, Rev. William Butler Lloyd breathed his last. Mr. 
Lloyd was born in Hancock county, Ga., February, 1807. He 
moved to Alabama in 1821, and settled in Perry county. At 
the age of sixteen years he was converted and baptized into the 



44^ AilSSlSSiPPi BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

fellowship of Salem Baptist church by Rev. Mr. Suttle. Two 
years later he commenced to preach and traveled much with 
Air. Suttle in the work. At nineteen he was ordained to the 
full work of the ministry. He was married to Miss Mary Hail 
in 1830. Moved to Mississippi in 1835 and settled in Xoxubee 
county, tw r elve miles south of Mashulaville. There being no 
church near he preached in school-houses and private houses 
through the country. Soon, with others, he organized the 
Mashulaville church, and became its pastor. For twenty years 
he served the church as pastor, preaching also at other points, 
Running Water, Good Hope, and Summerville. In fact his 
whole time was given to preaching the gospel, and his labors 
were wonderfully blessed in the conversion of souls. He was 
intimately associated in the ministry with Revs. Pace, Hol- 
brook and Lattimore, and frequently labored with them. In 
1817 his wife died, leaving seven small children. In 1818 he 
married Miss A. C. Harmon. In 1855 he moved to Attala 
county and became pastor of Long Creek church. Sixteen 
years he served us faithfully. The church flourished and many 
souls were converted and added unto us. His strength failing, 
he resigned the church and left the pastoral work, though his 
labors did not cease, by his counsels, his prayers, his Christly 
work, he aided us. He was ever a friend and helper to those 
men who served our church after him. Fifty-two years in ac- 
tive work as a pastor, sixty-six years serving the Lord. What 
a record? We say he is gone — his life is ended — but is it true 
— can such a life ever end? Six years before his death he 
became blind and in his blindness was a living testimony of 
Christ. In his last sickness much of his time w T as spent in 
repeating the hymns he had so much loved, "Jesus lover of my 
soul," "Nearer my God to Thee," and others. Truly we say 
a great man has gone to his reward — a noble, gentle, loving 
soul is at rest. He had suffered much, was oft-times weary 
and longing for Home. His eyes, no longer blind, behold 
the marvelous light and grandeur of that city not made with 
hands, eternal in the Heavens. "O, Death, where is thy sting? 
O, grave, where is thy victory?" A wife and four children sur- 
vive his loss, and they mourn not as those who have no hope, 
but with the assurance that he is at rest. We loved him. His 
was a gentle nature, that thinketh no evil, he had counseled us. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



449 



in hours of darkness and gloom he had pointed us to one who 
said, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the 
world." He is gone and we thank God that we knew him, and 
his memory will long remain green in Long Creek church. 



Alex A. Lomax. This 
devout and noble man of 
God began his earthly ca- 
reer in Obion county, Ten- 
nessee, May 4, 1830. In 
1836 his parents moved to 
Holmes county, Miss., 
where he was reared on a 
farm with scarcely any 
school advantages. He 
learned to read, however, of 
which he was very fond, 
but did not attempt the her- 
culean task of learning to 
write till he went out into 
the world for himself, and 
was then only induced to 
make the effort from the 
REV. A. A. LOMAX. great desire to communi- 

cate with his mother. In October, 1853, he was converted in 
a meeting conducted by Rev. Z. McMath and baptized into 
the fellowship of Ebenezer Baptist church in the Yazoo Asso- 
ciation, by the pastor, Rev. B. Nail. He felt an irresistible 
call to the ministry from the hour of his conversion, and be- 
gan at once to discuss plans for his preparation for his life 
work. Ignorance and poverty stood like mountains in his 
way while a personal affliction, of ophthalmia, and financial 
misfortune intensified the difficulties till all hope was well 
nigh extinguished of ever qualifying himself for the great 
work. Finally a way was opened and through the kindness of 
Rev. S. S. Brown, Principal of Milton Academy, and Mr. 
Thomas Harris who kept a boarding house for the pupils of 
this worthy school, he was enabled to get a start. These gen- 
tlemen, though Old School Presbyterians, gave him all the 
encouragement he needed and allowed him the benefits of the 




450 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

school and boarding house on a credit. This debt he subs^ 
quently paid in money but the debt of gratitude he still owes 
to these excellent people. The names of Brown and Harris 
are sacred in his memory. After nearly two years in this 
excellent school he entered Mississippi College in the fall of 
1858. He took the regular course and graduated in 1862. 
His senior course was somewhat abbreviated in order that he 
might hasten to another field of action, the war of secession. 
He joined 'The Durant Rifles," in Company I, Twelfth Missis- 
sippi Regiment of Confederate States Volunteers, and took 
part in all the campaigns and many of the battles in the army 
of Northern Virginia. In 1863 he was ordained to the full 
work of the gospel ministry in Dr. Burrows' church, Rich- 
mond, Va., the presbytery consisting of Drs. Sealy, Jeter, 
Dickinson, Shands, Mayes, Ryland arfd Burrows. In 1864 
he was appointed chaplain of the Sixteenth Mississippi Regi- 
ment, Featherston's Brigade. In this capacity he served to 
the end of the war, surrendering with his command at Appo- 
matox, April 9, 1865. Many of his old comrades can and do 
testify to his upright, consistent life as a Christian and ambas- 
sador for Christ during these eventful days, as also to his 
courage in danger and sympathy and helpfulness to the suf- 
fering. When peace was restored he returned to his beloved 
Mississippi and began the heroic task of strengthening the 
things that remained. His efforts were directed along three 
lines, namely, the material, educational, and religious devel- 
opment of his beloved Southland. To these he gave himself 
with all the energy of his being — preaching almost for noth- 
ing, teaching school and working in the farm, that he might 
not be burdensome to the poor churches and that his precept 
and example might inspire others to greater efforts. 

In 1871 and 1872 he acted as agent of Mississippi Col- 
lege. During the years 1865 to 1871 he preached to the 
churches of Rocky Springs, Bethel and Yazoo City. In No- 
vember, 1872, he moved to Copiah county, where he labored 
abundantly for Christ and the salvation of sinners till the year 
1891, when he moved to Batesville, where he now resides. 
Mr. Lomax was married in 1866, and God has given him and 
his excellent wife five children. He is affectionate, and noth- 
ing is to him more delightful than to be in the charmed circle 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 45 I 

of his own loved family. One of these, a bright, gifted and 
cultured daughter, who had just graduated from Blue Moun- 
tain Female College, in August, 1894, passed to her heavenly 
home, leaving the parents weeping over the "cold clay." Miss 
Clyde was said by President Lowrey to be one of the bright- 
est girls ever graduated from the college. Mr. Lomax has 
been honored by his brethren and fellow-citizens by being 
placed in positions of trust. He has been elected to the place 
of presiding officer over the Fair River and Copiah Associa- 
tions. He has served one term as superintendent of educa- 
tion of Copiah county. He took a leading part in the Prohib- 
ition movement, being one of the first to inaugurate it in 
South Mississippi. He has ben president of the County Pro- 
hibition Convention of Copiah county, also president of the 
State Prohibition Convention. He has been twenty-three 
years a member of the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Col- 
lege, and of Hillman College (formerly Central Female In- 
stitute) for twenty-five years. He has been often a vice- 
president of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention; and 
when Dr. W. S. Webb declined re-election at Summit in 1893, 
Mr. Lomax was elected president of this body. He was re- 
elected to the presidency by the Convention at Winona in 
July, 1894. He has traveled much in the State and preached 
to many audiences and baptized many people. God has hon- 
ored his ministry, prospered his churches and blessed his fam- 
ily. We first met A. A. Lomax at the Columbus Association, 
in 1870, as the representative of the Orphan's Home. His 
appeal greatly stirred the large congregation, and one incident 
especially (now forgotten) was so pathetic and so thrilled the 
crowd that he was requested to and repeated it to the mighty 
crowd which assembled on Sunday. He is emotional, and 
possesses a wonderful pathos in his preaching, so that it is 
no uncommon thing to see his audience in tears. Having 
quite a touch of Irish wit about him there is frequently, espec- 
ially in his platform addresses, an irresistible humor, which 
often excites the laughter of his hearers. His style is trans- 
parent and perfectly simple, and the people hear him gladly. 
He is universally loved and esteemed where he lives and every 
one has unlimited confidence in his piety and purpose to be 
helpful. He is a man who one readily receives into his heart 



452 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 




and whom he loves more the longer he is thrown with him. 
He is one of the "wheel-horses" in Baptist work in Mississippi. 

H. H. Long, the subject 
of this sketch was born in 
Hinds county, Mississippi, 
within six miles of the Cap- 
itol of the State, September 
25, 1844. His father, John 
Long, emigrated from Indi- 
ana to Mississippi at the 
early age of about twelve 
years, and having reached 
maturity was married to 
Miss Elizabeth Shaw, who 
came with her parents in 
early life from Tennessee. 
her native State, to Missis- 
sippi. Unto them was born 
seven children, five sons and 
two daughters, H. M. Long, 
being the youngest child of 
the seven. While an infant, not quite two years of age, 
his father died, leaving him with four others, two of the chil- 
dren having died in infancy, solely to the care and training of 
his mother, until he was about seven years of age, when his 
mother was married the second time, to Dr. L. B. Hemphill 
of Hinds county. Mr. Long's mother was a woman of very 
limited literary culture, as she had had only about eleven 
months altogether of school training in youth, but she had 
strong convictions and was a woman of most excellent piety, 
and earnest Christian consecration. She was a thorough 
missionary Baptist, and sought to inculcate upon her children, 
her religious principles, beginning at the earliest practicable 
age. Mr. Long inherited much of his mothers character, as 
a result of her religious training and pious influence, he grew 
up religiously inclined. At the early age of about four years, 
he entered the school taught in his neighborhood, and having 
natural aptitude and fondness for books, he made rapid prog- 
ress in his studies, but the late war coming on about the time 



REV. H. M. LONG. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 453 

he was preparing to enter college, his purposes and plans in 
that direction were defeated ; hence his school advantages were 
confined to the country schools, some of which, however, 
were taught by the best of English and classical scholars; so 
that his education in the higher departments of literature, both 
English and classical, were by no means neglected. Having 
enlisted as a soldier during the second year of the war, and in 
his eighteenth year, he served his country with a fair degree of 
acceptance for more than two and a half years, continuing with 
his regiment until becoming prostrated by an almost incurable 
sickness, he was compelled to return home for treatment. Re- 
covering from his disease, he was on his way to rejoin his com- 
mand when the surrender took place. It was his desire and 
purpose to enter college and finish his education and after- 
wards take a course in some law school, preparatory to the 
practice of law, but his best friend and counselor, his mother, 
having died a few days after his return home, his plans were 
again defeated, and he turned his attention for a livelihood to 
teaching, for which profession he had become fairly qualified 
in the schools he had attended. With the exception of a few 
short intervals, he assiduously pursued his chosen profession 
for about fifteen years. During one of these intervals he 
served quite acceptably as journal clerk of the House of Repre- 
sentatives during a session of the Mississippi Legislature, and 
afterwards as enrolling clerk during another session. On 
April 18, 1867, he was happily married to Miss Cornelia M. 
Lawson, the only daughter of William and Pernecia Lawson, 
of Hinds county, and grand-daughter of the lamented J. B. 
Saterfield, Esq., near Raymond, Miss., and well-known 
throughout his country, as an honest, upright Christian citi- 
zen. Aside from his conversion and call to the ministry, he 
considers his marriage to one of the purest and subsequently 
one of the most pious of women as the happiest event of his 
whole life. Since entering the ministry, he has been heard 
frequently to remark that he could never account for his get- 
ting such a good wife, except upon the idea of the Scriptural 
assurance that "the Lord preserveth the simple." By this 
union he has been blessed with nine promising, intelligent 
children, six daughters and three sons, one of the latter hav- 
ing died in infancy. He is very devoted to his wife and chil- 



454 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

dren, and, though poor in this world's goods, he has managed 
to give, thus far, a finished education to those that have 
reached maturity, except one, whose mind was seriously im- 
paired in infancy by protracted serious illness, and an acci- 
dental stroke upon his head, rendering him unable to compre- 
hend so well as the others, but who, at the same time, is pretty 
well qualified for business. He controls his children with a 
firm, yet kind discipline. They are all yet with him and un- 
married, and though five of them have reached mature years, 
he has never known one of them to wilfully disobey him. His 
wife and children are perfectly devoted to him. He professed 
conversion in September 1867, his wife following or joining 
him the succeeding day, and both were baptized by the same 
minister that married them, Rev. Jesse Woodall, of blessed 
memory, into the fellowship of the Bethesda Baptist church, 
Hinds county. His conversion was very bright and satisfac- 
tory, and shortly after he united with the church he became ser- 
iously impressed with a divine call to the ministry. He took 
the matter under cautious, prayerful consideration, and though 
he did not resist the impression, yet, apprehension of the great 
responsibility of a gospel minister, and wishing to carry out 
the oft expressed desire of his sainted mother, that he should 
follow the legal profession, the study of which he had prose- 
cuted two or three years as best he could, in connection with 
teaching, several months elapsed before he would consent, 
though often pressed by his pastor, to be licensed formally to 
preach. But, one day, being irresistibly led by the Holy 
Spirit, while in an earnest prayerful mood, to open the Bible, 
the first passage upon which his eyes fell was the remarkable 
language of the Apostle Paul in relating his own experience: 
"Necessity is laid upon me, and woe is me if I preach not the 
gospel." If he had heard a voice direct from heaven, it would 
not have been more startling and impressive. He regarded 
the language as none other than the voice of God, and at once 
concluded to make a complete surrender, and has never enter- 
tained for a moment a doubt of being divinely called to preach 
the gospel. Embracing the first opportunity in church con- 
ference he laid the matter before his pastor and church, and 
was at once formally liberated to preach wherever in the 
province of God his lot should be cast. He never sought 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 455 

ordination, but, after being licensed, he continued to preach 
with marked success in connection with school-room duties, 
in the midst of churches already supplied with pastors. Lo- 
cating at Westville, Simpson county, Miss., January, 1872, 
where he had been elected principal of the academy for boys 
and girls, he united with the Strong River church, hard by, 
and the following August was, by an act of the church, for- 
mally set apart by ordination to the full work of the gospel 
ministry, Eld. Theophilus Green, of sainted memory, and Eld. 
R. W. Hall, acting as presbytery. He was soon after called 
to the pastorate of two or three churches in Simpson county, 
which he served acceptably for some time. 

Having taught the Westville school four years, with 
marked success, he moved with his family to Cato, Miss., 
where he taught the high school one year. About this time 
the "Baptist Record" made its debut at Clinton, Miss., and at 
the earnest solicitation of the proprietor, Rev. M. T. Martin, he 
gave up his pastoral work and teaching, and took the field for 
the paper. But being inexperienced, and finding the prosecu- 
tion of the work on horseback more arduous than he contem- 
plated, he soon gave it up, and moving his family again, he 
located near Hazelhurst, Miss., where he resumed teaching, 
and was soon called to the pastoral care of the Spring Hill 
church at Martinsville, which he served faithfully and accept- 
ably nearly two years. Thence removing to Lawrence county, 
he took charge of a school in the country for ten months, but 
having taught six months, and became irresistibly impressed 
by the death of a bright and promising infant son, that he 
should devote his entire time to the ministry, he resigned the 
school and was almost immediately called to serve about eight 
churches. Removing to Williamsburg, Miss., he accepted 
four of the churches to-wit: Silver Creek and Whitesand in 
Lawrence county, and Salem and Leaf River in Covington 
county. Excepting Whitesand, he continued' two years serv- 
ing these churches, adding the second year the churches at 
Providence and Augusta in Perry county. 

In the beginning of 1882, he took his family to Blue Moun- 
tain, Miss., to give his daughters the advantage of thorough 
training in the Female College there, then under the presi- 
dency of the lamented founder, Dr. M. P. Lowrey. Remain- 



456 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ing here fifteen months, meanwhile serving the Union church 
in Tippah county, and Salem in Marshall, and organizing a 
church at Middleton, Tenn., he was by force of circumstances 
compelled to move his family where he might obtain an ade- 
quate support for them, so he located at Pleasant Hill, De Soto 
county, where he served the church and also the one at Lewis- 
burg, Miss., and Middleton, Tenn. But in eight or nine 
months, on account of protracted, and well-nigh fatal sickness 
in his family he decided to locate at Collinsville, Tenn., where 
he continued one year, serving the churches at Grand Junc- 
tion, Saulsbury, Middleton, and near Williston. Being called 
to the church at Shuqualak, Miss., he accepted, and served the 
church three years, when he resigned to move to Louisiana. 
Deciding, however, to remain at Shuqualak, he served the 
churches at Shubuta, State line, Heidelberg and some others, 
till 1800, when he resigned all his pastoral charges at the earn- 
est solicitation of Dr. J. A. Hackett, the present editor in chief 
of the "Baptist Record," to take the position of field editor of 
that paper. This position he has held with marked success 
and much acceptance to the company, barring twelve months, 
during which, at the earnest solicitation of the Shuqualak 
people having accepted the presidency of the Female College, 
he was by close confinement and excessive study, stricken with 
nervous prostration, from which he suffered nine months. He 
still has his home at Shuqualak, and is vigorously prosecuting 
his mission as field editor of the "Baptist Record." Mr. Long 
has ever held an humble opinion of his literary attainments 
and preaching ability, but as pastor, teacher and newspaper 
man, he has been quite successful, and almost without excep- 
tion has given universal satisfaction. Though not in the pas- 
torate, he preaches oftener, perchance, than any pastor in the 
State, and the Lord is blessing his labors. 

Charles Lovejoy. This excellent brother feels that his 
"early history could not benefit anybody, as it was a wasted 
life, fruitfully spent in the service of the devil, until June, 1891, 
while listening to that noble man of God, B. N. Hatch, of 
Summit, who was conducting a meeting at Pheba, Clay 
county, Miss." In this meeting he was led to see the error of 
his ways, and seeking the Lord found him precious to his 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 457 

ruined soul. In November, 1891, the same year, he was 
licensed to preach, filled a few appointments, held a protracted 
meeting in Oktibbeha county in July, 1892, where his labor 
. was greatly blessed. At the close, of this meeting his church 
at Pheba proposed his ordination which took place July 20, 
1892. He then entered fully into the work of the ministry. In 
1893 he was pastor of Amity, Enon, Montpelier, and Mount 
Zion churches. In his work during that year the Lord again 
did much for his people, and through his labors about forty 
were added to the churches by baptism, and ten by restoration. 
In 1894 he received and accepted calls to the Buena Vista, 
Hebron, Providence and New Salem churches which closely 
occupy his entire time. A future of usefulness and blessing 
seem to spread out before this young minister of Jesus Christ. 

Charles A. Loveless was born in Cleburne county, Ala., 
Jan. 27, 1869. Removed to DeKalb county, same State, in 
1874, and w T as converted to the religion of Jesus Christ in the 
summer of 1885. He felt impressed to preach the gospel soon 
afterwards, and in order to drown these impressions lived out 
of duty until Aug., 1890, when he joined the Missionary Bap- 
tist church at Ellistown, Miss., where he had previously re- 
moved with his parents. He was baptized by Rev. B. F. 
Whitten, and was liberated to exercise in public worship by 
Ellistown church in June, 1891, and began at once to preach. 
In Jan., 1893, he was granted license to preach by the same 
church. On entering school at Blue Springs Normal College, 
Blue Springs, Miss., he removed his membership to Blue 
Springs Baptist church, which church ordained him to the 
full work of the gospel ministry on Aug. 7th, 1893. The ordi- 
nation council consisted of Revs. W. F. Ausbon, Isaac Smith, 
and T. A. J. Beasley. He was called to preach to Uclatubba 
and Birmingham churches, and New Harmony congregation 
for the pastoral year of 1893 and 1894, where he is meeting 
with great success. He is of poor parentage, and is now 
striving to enter, and complete his education in our own be- 
loved college at Clinton. It will be seen that Mr. Loveless is 
also quite a young minister of Jesus Christ, but he bravely 
enters upon his work, full of hope and in reliance upon the 



458 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



power and grace of God for help and success. May his hopes 
be realized. 

General n. P. Lowery. Mark Perrin Lowrey was born in 
McNairy county, Tennessee, on December 29th, 1828. He 




GEN. M. P. LOWERY, D. D. 
died on February 27th, 1885, at the age of fifty-six years one 
month and twenty-eight days. During this comparatively 
short life he saw many changes, did a great deal of work and 
acquired a very extensive influence. 

His father, Adam Lowrey, was of Scotch-Irish, his mother, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 459 

of English descent His father died when he was four years 
old. He had four brothers and four sisters older than him- 
self, and one sister younger than himself. His mother was 
poor. The children all worked hard and wore home-made 
clothes. When Mark was fifteen, his mother moved to Farm- 
ington (near Corinth), Mississippi. At seventeen he made 
a profession of religion, joined the Baptist church near Farm- 
ington and was baptized by Rev. James Griffin. At the age 
of eighteen he joined a company of volunteers and went to 
the Mexican war. On returning from the Mexican war, he 
learned the trade of a brick mason, which trade he followed 
for several years and in which he became very skillful. At 
twenty-one he was married to Miss Sarah Holmes, the daugh- 
ter of a prosperous farmer. His marriage was exceedinly for- 
tunate. His wife had not been blessed with school advantages, 
but she was a woman of great industry and economy, of strong 
physical constitution, of unusually fine practical sense. and of 
unswerving Christian principles. She was modest and re- 
tiring in disposition, but she was a "keeper at home," and was 
ever as great in her sphere as he was in his. Often was he 
heard to say in his later years that the larger part of his influ- 
ence was due to his wife. "The heart of her husband did 
safely trust in her," and "her children rise up and call her 
blessed." 

M. P. Lowrey was from childhood a hard student. At the 
date of his marriage he had never been to school six months 
in his life and had access to very few books, but he had made 
good use of his small opportunities. His widow testifies 
that, after his marriage, as he worked at his trade, he always 
kept up his studies at night, at the noon intermission and at all 
odd hours he stayed with his books. 

At the age of twenty-four he decided that it was his duty 
to enter the ministry. His wife, with her characteristic good 
sense, said: "Well, if you are going to be a preacher, don't 
be a half-way preacher; I'll take care of the family, you go to 
your books." Both before he entered the ministry and for 
some years afterwards, whenever there was a school in the 
community, he would study at home and go to the school 
house and recite to the teacher. 

From the first sermon he was an effective preacher. A sen- 



460 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

sible man heard him preach in his early ministry and remarked : 
"He is as solid a young man as I ever listened to." Soon 
after he commenced preaching he was appointed missionary 
in the Chickasaw Association, which then included nearly all 
of Northeast Mississippi in its territory. He continued this 
work for about four years. He organized the church at Cor- 
inth, Miss., and lived one year at that place. When the war 
between the States broke out he was living at Kossuth and 
preaching there and at Ripley. He thought at first that he 
would not join the army. A company of sixty-day troops 
was, however, organized in his community, and he was 
elected captain. As the company was made up of his neigh- 
bors and many of them were his church members, he decided 
to accept the position. Before the sixty days had expired he 
was made colonel of the Thirty-seconcl Mississippi Regiment. 
After the battle of Chickamauga, in which he displayed es- 
pecial gallantry, he was promoted to the position of Brigadier 
General, and served during the remainder of the war as com- 
mander of Lowrey's Brigade, Cleborne's Division, Hardee's 
Corps, Army of Tennessee. One who knew him well said, 
"A braver soldier never graced a battlefield." On the day 
after the battle of Chickamauga, Gen. Pat Cleborne introduced 
him to Gen. Hardee as "the bravest man in the Confederate 
army." 

During his soldier life he did a great deal of preaching. He 
frequently said that he did not think that he did more good 
as a preacher during any four years of his life than in did dur- 
ing his four years in the army. One of his soldiers said that 
he would "pray with them in his tent, preach to them in the 
camp and lead them to the thickest of the fight in battle." He 
was frequently referred to as "the fighting preacher of the 
Army of Tennessee." He did not believe in slavery, but he 
did believe in the South and in States' rights, and he fought 
for his convictions with all the ardor of a patriot. 

When the war was over he laid his sword aside and began 
to work for the upbuilding of the conquered South, especially 
for the upbuilding of the religious interests of the country. 
For two years he traveled over the State as an evangelist and 
did important work in reorganizing and encouraging the 
churches. When he gave up this work he had invitations 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 46 1_ 

from several churches in large towns to settle as pastor. He 
had, however, purchased a small country home in Tippah 
county, and he preferred to remain there and preach to coun- 
try and village churches in reach of him. He often preached 
to as many as four churches, giving one Saturday and Sunday 
in the month to each and holding a protracted meeting with 
each during the summer. He would ride from five to thirty 
miles to reach these churches, and, as they were poor, some 
years his salary from all of them would not exceed four hun- 
dred dollars. But some of the best work he ever did was with 
these poor country churches. Many of the old brethren re- 
member with much joy the great meetings held by him in con- 
nection with the beloved Lewis Ball and others among the 
country churches. 

For two years he was a stated contributor to the "Christian 
Index," of Georgia, and for several years he was editor of the 
'Mississippi Department''' of "The Baptist," published by Dr. 
J. R. Graves, at Memphis, Tenn. 

Soon after the war Gen. Lowrey conceived the idea of es- 
tablishing a boarding school for girls. He placed his daugh- 
ters in Stonewall College, Ripley, Mrs. M. J. Buchanan, pres- 
ident, and later in the Baptist Female Seminary, Pontotoc, 
Dr. W. L. Slack, president. In 1873, when his two oldest 
daughters had graduated and one of them had been teaching 
for some years, he and they opened a school at his country 
home and called it Blue Mountain Female Institute. In 1877, 
the school was chartered as Blue Mountain Female College. 

He continued to preach to country churches, presided over 
the school and taught the departments of history and moral 
science. The school enrolled fifty students the first session, 
twenty-seven of them being boarders, and it grew steadily 
until the day of his death, in 1885. Since his death, the 
school has continued to grow, under the presidency of his 
eldest son, and it is now one of the leading institutions for 
the education of girls in the South. 

Gen. Lowrey served for ten years as president of the Mis- 
sissippi Baptist State Convention. He also served for some 
years as a member of the Board of Trustees of the State Uni- 
versity, at Oxford, and as a member of the Board of Trustees 
of Mississippi College, at Clinton. The degree of Doctor of 



462 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Divinity was conferred on him by Mississippi College. 
He had several prominent characteristics : 

1. His great steadiness of purpose. Just after the war, 
when his praises as a soldier were in everybody's mouth, he 
was urged by many prominent people to enter upon the life, 
of a statesman. At one time he was assured by many promi- 
nent men that he could be elected Governor, and was urged 
to allow his name to be used as a candidate. At another 
time he was urged to enter the race for the United States Sen- 
ate. But he felt that his duty was in another line and steadily 
resisted the temptations. About the time he was ready to 
begin his school enterprise he was offered the position of sec- 
retary of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist 
Convention. This would have given him an ample support 
for himself and family with a home in* Richmond, Va., where 
he would have had excellent school advantages both for his 
boys and his girls. When he had decided to open his school 
at his country home, several large towns in the State proposed 
to bid for the school, and one excellent town made him a 
flattering offer of grounds and buildings. But his purpose 
was fixed and he could not be turned aside from it. 

2. He was greatly noted for his ability to adapt himself 
to all classes of people. A very intelligent and intimate friend 
said of him: "He could go into the humblest cottage and 
sit down among the poorest and most ignorant people and 
make them feel that they were in the presence of a friend. 
Then he could go into the most elegant mansion and sit down 
in the midst of the most intelligent and refined and make them 
feel that they were in the presence of an equal." 

3. Probably the most prominent characteristic was his 
sublime trust in God. He looked to God for guidance in 
everything. From boyhood, through manhood, until death, 
he lived a life of trust. 

His death was as sudden as a lightening stroke. On the 
27th of February, 1885, in perfect health he had gone as far 
as Middleton, Tennessee, with some teachers and students 
who were en route to the New Orleans Exposition. He had 
purchased their tickets and was turning away, when suddenly 
he fell back against the wall, sank down to the floor and 
gasped but once. "He walked with God and he was not, for 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 463 

God took him." Two years before this he was very ill and 
the doctor told him he must die. He afterwards said that this 
caused him no excitement whatever; that the question of his 
eternal welfare had long been settled and that he kept his 
business matters in such shape that they would give no trouble 
to any one. So it was two years later; and when death came 
to him without a moment's warning it found him ready. 

He left a family of six sons and five daughters, all of whom 
are now grown and still living (October, 1894) and all of 
whom are members of Baptist churches. 

In his "last will and testament" he used this sentence: "It 
is my prayer that every descendant of mine down to the last 
generation shall be a follower of Christ and meet me in 
Heaven." He closed that will by saying: "I subscribe my- 
self the friend of all humanity and the humble servant of the 
Lord Jesus Christ." 

His grave is one mile from Blue Mountain Female College, 
and at its head stands a beautiful monument erected by his 
students. 

Lives of great men all remind us 
We can make our lives sublime, 

And, departing, leave behind us 
Footprints on the sands of time; 

"Footprints, that perhaps another, 

Sailing o'er life's solemn main, 

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, 

Seeing;, shall take heart again." 

— Contributed by Dr. W. T. Lowrey. 
The following facts are in our possession : Gen Lowrey 
felt called to preach soon after his conversion, but tried to 
evade the duty by making money to help others to preach. 
But in his twenty-fourth year was compelled to yield, and in 
August, 1853, was ordained by the Farmington church. He 
was modest and retiring in his disposition and ever shrank 
from the honors which admiring friends and brethren sought 
to thrust upon him. We first met him in a revival meeting 
conducted by himself and Rev. Lewis Ball with the Starkville 
church. His earnestness made a profound impression in the 
community; crowds attended the services; and he, with his 



464 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



colleague, seemed almost heart-broken at meager results of 
the services caused by an improper state of feeling in the 
church. His preaching abounded in illustrations drawn from 
his war experience and were often used with fine effect. 

During the State Convention in Kosciusko, in 1884, in a 
sermon, in the conclusion of a magnificent eulogy on the Bi- 
ble, he took the large pulpit Bible from the stand before him, 
clasped it in his arms and exclaimed, with wonderful effect: 
''Holy Bible, Book divine, 
Precious treasure, thou art mine." 
On one occasion, while delivering an address on some sub- 
ject during the sad post bellum days, he electrified his audi- 
ence by this patriotic outburst of eloquence: "I love Missis- 
sippi; I love her people with whom I have lived in prosperity; 
I love her name; I love her glorious dead, lying in unmarked 
graves on every battlefield of the Confederacy; yes, I love hei 
very soil, and, when I think of her sufferings, I could b«nv 
down on my knees and kiss her sacred soil." Truly he was 
u a great man and a prince in Israel." 

W. T. Lowery, A. M., 

D. D., is the eldest 
of the six sons of Gen. M. 
P. Lowrey. He was born 
near Booneville, Miss., 
March 3, J 858. At eleven 
years of age he was bap- 
tized by his father into 
the Ripley Baptist church. 
From eight to sixteen 
years of age he worked on 
a farm, studying at home 
and going now and then 
to the country schools for 
a few months at a time. 
At the age of sixteen he 
entered Blue Mountain 
Male Academy, Captain 
T. B. Winston, principal. 
REV. W. T. LOWERY, D. D. A year and a half later his 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 4^5 

health failed and he was compelled to stop school and spend 
another year on the farm. In the fall of 1878, he entered the 
Sophomore class at Mississippi College, from which he grad- 
uated with first honor in a class of seven in June, 1881. 

In early life he chose the law as his profession and held to 
his purpose until a few months before he graduated, when he 
decided that it was his duty to enter the ministry. He was 
licensed to preach in April, 1881, but preached only one time 
before he graduated. During the summer of 1881, he 
preached in protracted meetings in country churches, and 
that fall he entered the Southern Baptist Theological Semi- 
nary at Louisville, Ky. His first pastorate was at Simp- 
sonville, Ky., where he preached two Sundays in the 
month from February, 1882, until January, 1884. His sec- 
ond pastorate was at Cane Run, near Georgetown, Ky., where 
he preached four Sundays in the month from January, 1884, 
until February, 1885. During his pastorate of both these 
churches he continued his studies at the Seminary in Louis- 
ville. He was nearing the close of his senior year at the Sem- 
inary, when, on February 27th, 1885, he was called home on 
account of the sudden death of his father. On reaching home 
he found that he had been chosen as his father's successor, and 
he entered at once upon his duties as president of Blue Moun- 
tain Female College. It happened that he assumed his duties 
at the college on his 27th birthday. On September 1st, 1886, 
he was married to Miss Theodosia Searcy, daughter of Rev. 
J. B. Searcy, D. D., then of Arkansas, later of Louisiana. He 
has now (Nov. 1894) been in his position as college president 
for nine and a half years. During his administration the col- 
lege has doubled its patronage, greatly improved its buildings 
and equipments, made important additions to its course of 
study and largely increased both the strength and number of 
its faculty. He has not only worked hard in the school, but 
he has found time to visit almost every part of Mississippi, 
preaching sermons, holding meetings and delivering lectures 
on missions and education. He probably knows more people 
in Mississippi than any other man of his age in the State. 

During Dr. Lowrey's stay of nine years and a half at Blue 
Mountain he has served the following churches as pastor: 
Ripley, five years, two Sundays in the month ; Blue Mountain, 



466 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

five years, two Sundays in the month and two years, 
four Sundays in the month; Union, one year, one 
Sunday in the month ; New Albany, two years, two Sundays in 
the month; and Olive Branch, one year, one Sunday in the 
month. Into these churches he has baptized nearly four hun- 
dred people. 

He was chairman of the Centennial Committee of the 
State Convention for one year and has now been vice-presi- 
dent for Mississippi of the Sunday-school Board of the 
Southern Baptist Convention for three years. 

Dr. Lowrey is a thorough Mississippian. He was born 
and educated in the State and expects to spend his life in 
building up her educational and religious interests. 

He had a number of very flattering offers, both in pas- 
torates and in schools, outside of Mississippi, but he has 
promptly declined all temptations to leave his native State. 
His ambition is to prove always a worthy successor of his no- 
ble father, and surely he could find no more useful position 
than the one which he now holds. We have known W. T. 
Lowrey since his assumption of the duties of his station as 
president of Blue Mountain Female College, and during these 
years have known him only to love him. Wherever he has 
gone, throughout the State, he has endeared the people to 
him very much by his pleasant magnetic manner, and by his 
earnest and forcible preaching. His style is one of great vi- 
vacity, and he secures the sympathetic attention of his audience 
from his first utterance and holds it until the last sentence is 
spoken. You cannot but listen to him. Whenever he 
preaches once in a community he is always afterwards sure to 
be greeted with a large audience. His preaching is eminently 
Scriptural, devout, practical and helpful. In the community 
in which he lives he is held in the greatest esteem, and when- 
ever he preaches or addresses an audience he is listened to 
with the greatest respect. Every subject he touches, under 
his kindling enthusiasm, becomes at once invested with thrill- 
ing interest. In the annual meetings of the State Convention 
he oftens performs the important part of the work and parti- 
cipates in the discussions, and always carries with him great 
influence in the councils of his brethren. He is broad in his 
sympathies, taking into his heart and effort every enterprise 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 467 

looking to the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. Every 
object of Christian benevolence finds in him a warm and earn- 
est advocate and a liberal helper. May his life long be spared 
to the denomination in Mississippi and to the cause of religion 
and education among our people. 

William Turner Lumbley was born at Mechanicsburg, 
Yazoo county, Miss., December 29, 1853. After the usual 
school boy days in the neighborhood schools, he went to Mis- 
sissippi College, where he received his collegiate education, 
having previously felt called of God to preach "the everlast- 
ing gospel." Having continued at Mississippi College for 
some time, he felt the need of special preparation for his life's 
work, and entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 
Louisville, Ky., and spent two sessions there, extending from 
the fall of 1886 to the summer of 1888. He graduated in 
some of the English schools of the Seminary. He was or- 
dained to the full work of the gospel ministry by the Ogden 
Baptist church, Yazoo county, Miss., July 31, 1881. He was 
pastor of country churches near Hamburg and Monticello, 
Ark., from January, 1883, to December, 1885. He was mis- 
sionary of the Mississippi Baptist State Mission Board in 
1886 up to September of that year. Some time after this he 
became missionary to Africa in the employ of the Foreign 
Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, at Og- 
bomoshaw (P. O. Lagos), Africa. Before going to the for- 
eign field he was married, and he and his wife remained in 
their work in the "Dark Continent" until early in 1894 they 
returned to the home land for rest and recuperation. Having 
rested now for some months, they are ready and anxious to 
return to their work. A late letter from Mr. Lumbley, from 
Meridian, says: "It is possible my wife and I may leave in 
a very short time now, as I am just waiting to get word from 
Dr. Willingham and the Board. The death of Brother and 
Sister Newton makes it more important for some one to go 
to help in the work." Thus this consecrated man and his 
wife are now just waiting the summons to go into the trying 
climate of Africa to work for Christ, where his comrade, Rev. 
C. C. Newton, and his wife, have just fallen victims to the 
malignant African fever. Mr. Lumbley "professed faith in 



468 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Christ and united with the Ogden Baptist church near his old 
home, about his seventeenth year. After struggling for sev- 
eral years under the convictions of Christian duty, he was li- 
censed to the gospel ministry when about twenty-three years 
of age. He entered Mississippi College," as mentioned above, 
''and continued the work of education there with some inter- 
ruption for about two years and a half. ' After this he spent 
several years in teaching in the State of Arkansas and the Mis- 
sissippi Valley. * * * He was often thrilled, even in 
early life, with the subject of foreign missions, but never felt 
induced to offer his service to the Board until moved by the 
appeals of his brethren in 1888." — Decade of Missions, by. H. 

A. Tupper, D. D., p. 713. 

Thomas Newton Lusk. The subject of this sketch was 
born in Choctaw county. Miss., August 10, 1853. In ISC*.") 
he made profession of faith in Christ, and united with a Bap- 
tist church in 1866. He was baptized by Rev. Joel F. Wilson, 
under whose preaching he was converted. At first it was his 
desire to become a minister, but as the time drew near when 
it seemed that he must enter upon his work, he prayed the 
Lord to deliver him from such an undertaking. For more than 
ten years he tried to rid himself of this impression, pleading 
that he was incompetent, illiterate and without means of ob- 
taining an education. The war had closed, his father had been 
left in straightened circumstances with a large family to sup- 
port. He worked on the farm with his father until he was 
twenty-one years of age, to "try to pay for his raising." At 
the age of twenty-one his possessions consisted of one mule. 
The price of the mule would not keep him in school long; so 
he spent three years more in daily labor, saving all he possibly 
could. He entered Mississippi College, but in a few years 
his earnings were gone, his course not completed and he pen- 
niless. What should he do? Give up? That did not suit 
him or seem right. He decided to write to his brother, P. J. 
L., and ask for five hundred dollars. "Yes," was the response, 
"as you need the money call on me; if you pay back it is all 
right, if you do not it is all right." In 1884 he completed the 

B. S. course in Mississippi College, and was set apart to the 
full work of the ministry at Mulberry church, Montgomery 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 469 

county, Miss., September 2, 1884, the presbytery consisting of 
J. P. Thompson, R. W. Thompson, George Whitfield and Z. 
T. Leave] 1. The same fall (1884) he entered the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., where he 
spent one session. He was principal of New Liberty High 
School from the fall of 1885 to the summer of 1887. He was 
pastor of Pleasant Grove church, Grenada county, from 1885 
to 1888; of Harmony from 1885 to 1889; of Bluff 
Springs 1886 and 1887; and of Shiloah 1887 and several sub- 
sequent years. In 1887 he was married to Miss Mamie 
Ringold, who is now his partner in life in the Master's cause. 
He says: "My time has been mainly spent in serving coun- 
try churches in my old community, and I have had many rea- 
sons to be encouraged in my nine years' pastoral work." 

flat Lyon. The ministry of Mississippi would be incom- 
plete without a mention of this eminent preacher of Christ. 
For a short time he preached in the bounds of the Columbus 
Association, but afterwards moved to the western part of the 
State. He was a man of irreproachable character, and of 
splendid natural abilities, combined with excellent culture and 
was universally esteemed as a master workman in the Lord's 
vineyard, and was well known in the denomination. He was 
pastor of the most prominent churches in the Yazoo Associa- 
tion, Carrollton, Winona, and a number of others. He was 
also a writer of rare vigor and power, and his communica- 
tions often enriched the columns of our denominational pa- 
pers. These communications could not be read without a 
feeling that one was in the presence of a giant mind thoroughly 
grasping his subject and laying it open for you to look at. 
He left Mississippi between 1880 and 1886 and moved to 
North Alabama to live with a married daughter, where he died 
in 1892. 

J. Q. W. Mallet*. Dr. W. Cary Crane writes,in 1881: "I 
first met Mr. Mallett at Prattville, Ala., where, or in its vicin- 
ity, he lived in 1841. I met him again in 1844 at the camp 
ground, near Aberdeen, where he and his church (Goose 
Pond) united with the Columbus Association. "For a number 
of years he was the zealous and efficient missionary of this As- 



470 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

sociation. He was a zealous, warm-hearted and animated 
preacher. In his latter years he lived at Corinth, Miss., for 
a time in deep poverty, and received help from the denomina- 
tion. A few years ago, in 1886, he quietly passed over the 
river to his eternal reward, from his home in Corinth, Miss. 

E. S, Manning was born in De Soto county, Miss., June 
22, 1845, and died February 19, 1890. He professed religion 
and joined a Baptist church when eleven years of age. He 
was married to Miss E. J. Barbee, June 10, 1869, who made 
him a faithful and devoted wife. He felt from early youth 
that he ought to preach, but a sense of incompetency caused 
him to shrink from the work until late in life. From a serm< in 
preached about the servant who buried his talent he was so 
impressed that he said he would delay no longer. He said 
when speaking of his long delay, with the expression of deep 
humility: "It has not been my purpose all these years to dis- 
obey my Savior, but I have feared that my impressions to 
preach were caused by desire for the salvation of men, in- 
stead of being a call from God to preach his word." He was 
from early manhood a faithful and zealous worker in church, 
prayer meeting and Sunday-school, and when he decided to 
preach he entered the work with all the zeal of his earnest na- 
ture, and with the humility and devotion of a loving child lie 
pressed the work till called home. He was ordained to the 
ministry in 1885. He was a teacher all his life, and a liberal 
supporter of missions and education. A purer heart, a no- 
bler soul, a better man never lived in Mississippi. — E. L. Wes- 
son. 

William Hanningcame from Alabama. He was a sound 
and useful preacher. After a time he went to Texas and 
preached there. He was the father of Rev. William Carey 
Manning, who for some years was missionary of the Texas 
Convention to the Guadaloupe country. The scene of his 
labors while in Mississippi was within the Columbus Associ- 
ation for the most part. Dr. Crane spoke of him in the high- 
est terms. 

Granville Hopewood Martin was born in Carroll county, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 471 

Tenn., in August, 1825. He was the son of John Clark Mar- 
tin, just mentioned; professed religion and joined the Hope- 
well church in 1836, and was baptized by his father. He very 
soon commenced praying and exhorting sinners to repent- 
ance. It was thought he had a talent that must be cultivated ; 
being poor and unable to obtain an education within his own 
means, was placed by his friends under the tuition of Rev. 
Mr. Whittlesy, at McLemoreville, Tenn. Between 1845 and 
1847 he was at Denmark, under the tuition of Professor W. 
L. Slack, where he received the principal part of his education. 
In 1841 he commenced preaching. Naturally of very deli- 
cate health, of slender form, of strong yet smooth voice, to- 
gether with an overwhelming flow of language, he never failed 
to draw crowds to hear him. The following items in regard 
to him are taken from the "Macon Bacon" and "Mississippi 
Baptist:" 

Death of Rev. G. H. Martin : Our whole community was 
surprised and shocked by the almost sudden death of Dr. 
Martin. It was known to but few that he was ill at all, when 
on Friday morning last it was announced that he was dying. 
He has been the pastor of the Baptist church of this town for 
several years, and had gained the good will and esteem of all 
classes by his amiable qualities. As a pulpit orator he was 
hardly excelled by any one in his communion, but his chief 
ornament was his sincere and Christian humility, and the un- 
affected simplicity of a child, which characterized his whole 
life. The vast concourse of people, of all classes and colors, 
who attended his funeral on Sunday last, showed the deep af- 
fection with which he was regarded by all. We may indeed 
say: "A great man has fallen in Israel." Macon Baptist 
Church: At a called meeting of the Macon Baptist church, 
held on Sabbath morning, March 2, 1862, the following pre- 
amble and resolutions were unanimously adopted: Whereas, 
Our beloved pastor, G. H. Martin, departed this life at 
twelve minutes before three o'clock, p. m., on Friday, Febru- 
ary 28, 1862, at his residence in Macon, Miss., aged thirty-six 
years six months and twenty-six days, having fallen at his 
post in the prime of life, an able, faithful and useful minister 
of the cross of Christ, he ably, devotedly and acceptablv served 
this church for the last six years as its pastor; he died with 



472 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

his armor on, beloved and respected by all who knew him, hav- 
ing won the admiration, esteem, confidence and love of every 
member of the church. We admired him for his ability and 
untiring energy in the discharge of the duties of his high call- 
ing. We esteemed him for his social qualities and Christian 
bearing and deportment in all of the walks of life. We had 
confidence in him as a minister sent of God to preach the gos- 
pel of Christ. We had confidence in his deep piety as exem- 
plified in his daily walk and conversation, carrying out in prac- 
tical life those doctrines and principles he so faithfully and 
earnestly preached to others. We loved him as a citizen, 
friend and brother in Christ. But he is no more! He has 
been called from the field of his usefulness by our Heavenly 
Father, to reap the reward of his labors, and "his works do fol- 
low him." He died as he had lived, a Christian, with strong 
and humble faith in Christ, and with bright hopes and a full as- 
surance of a blessed immortality beyond the grave. There- 
fore, 

Resolved, (1). That while we do, in obedience to the great 
principles of our holy religion, bow in humble submission and 
resignation to the will of our Heavenly Father, we cannot but 
mourn as a church, and weep with those who weep. (2). 
That in the death of our beloved pastor this church has lost an 
able and good minister of the gospel of Christ, his family a 
devoted husband and father, and the community one of its 
brightest ornaments — but our loss is his eternal gain. (3). 
That we hereby express and tender to the bereaved family of 
our deceased pastor our deep and heart-felt sympathy for the 
great and irreparable loss they have sustained. (4). That the 
foregoing preamble and resolutions be recorded in the church- 
book and that a copy be presented to the widow of the de- 
ceased, and to the "Macon Beacon" and the "Mississippi 
Baptist" for publication. These resolutions were signed by 
Jesse H. Buck. Moderator, and James B. McClellan, Clerk. 
Similar, and a highly complimentary preamble and set of reso- 
lutions were also passed by the Sharon Baptist church, of 
which he was the dearly beloved pastor. 

Eld. G. H. Martin. This great and good man died at 
his residence in Macon. Miss., during the second year of the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 473 

war. He was one of Mississippi's noblest sons; he was one 
of the brightest of lights in our churches; but he now sleeps 
in an untimely grave. His widowed companion and orphaned 
children still remain at their old homestead." 

Tribute of Respect. — On the announcement in the camp 
of the Noxubee troopers, of the death of Rev. G. H. Martin, 
a member of their company, a meeting of the troopers was 
immediately called. The captain being absent, First Lieu- 
tenant C. Dowling was called to the chair and A. H. Sanders 
appointed secretary of the meeting. On motion, R. G. Rives, 
G. W. Moorer, J. P. Fancher, and J. J. Hunter were appointed 
a committee on resolutions, who, after a short interval, re- 
ported, through their chairman, R. G. Rives, the following 
preamble and resolutions: Whereas, in the inscrutable wis- 
dom of the Almighty God, the Rev. G H. Martin, a member 
of our company, was, on February 28, 1862, called from time 
to eternity in the prime of life and bright morning of his use- 
fulness; and, whereas, in our departed friend and brother, we 
recognized, in perfection, the Christian minister, the gentle- 
man, the patriot, and the soldier, one in regard to whose Chris- 
tianity it might be truly said: "Behold an Israelite in whom 
there is no guile;" whose conduct as a gentleman presented 
a bright example, worthy of all imitation ; whose pure and lofty 
patriotism overlooked all selfish considerations, and around 
whose conduct and association as a soldier clustered our fond- 
est anticipations. Therefore, Resolved, (1). That in view 
of the manifest advantage we should have derived around our 
camp-fires from the pure and elevated morality; unassuming, 
yet earnest piety; the modest, though highly intellectual con- 
versation of the Rev. G. H. Martin, we feel that we have sus- 
tained an irreparable loss to which none can be insensible. (2). 
That to the bereaved family of our brother we tender our 
warmest sympathies, the kindest feelings that the heart of the 
citizen soldier knows for the wife and little ones of a departed 
comrade. (3). That the "Macon Beacon" be requested to 
publish these proceedings, and the proprietor of the "Beacon" 
be requested to send a copy to the widow of the deceased. 
Signed by C. Dowling, Chairman. A. H. Sanders, Secretary. 

James flartin was born January 21, 1798, and died in the 



474 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

spring of 1885, aged eighty-seven years and about four 
months. He was a minister of the "blessed gospel" of Christ, 
fifty-six years. He constituted the Wake Forest Baptist 
church of Christ, Chickasaw county, Miss., on the first Sun- 
day in June, 1846, with the assistance of Rev. Gideon Wood- 
ruff. After organization he served the church as pastor for 
quite a number of years, was then released from its service for 
a term of years. He was recalled to the pastorate of this 
church about 1870 and was pastor for six years. About 1876, 
in consequence of age and infirmity he gave up all pastoral 
service and only preached as occasion and health permitted. 
Whenever possible he visited Wake Forest, his home church. 
He was present first Lord's day of November, 1880, and 
preached from 2 Cor. 5:18. Again he was present in April, 
1881, and the church made up a purse of five and a half dol- 
lars and handed to him. He made his last visit to his beloved 
church in August, 1884, at a district meeting, and preached. 
He was presented a purse of ten dollars at this time. He com- 
menced preaching in Alabama a few years before he came to 
Mississippi, which was in 1846, and the remainder of his long 
and useful ministry was in our State. He was most faithful 
in meeting his appointments, often riding through rain and 
snow to meet them. It is said that no sort of weather pre- 
vented him from meeting an appointment to preach, and this 
punctuality continued to the day of his death. He was as 
faithful a minister as ever lived to serve his Master and warn 
sinners. His death occurred in Calhoun county, about thirty 
miles from Wake Forest church. — S. M. Hightower, Church 
Clerk. 

John Clark Martin was born in Baron county, Kentucky, 
November 14, 1797; his grandfather was a native of the prin- 
cipality of Wales; his father was a native of New Jersey; when 
a young man he emigrated to Virginia, and from thence to 
Kentucky, where he was married to Miss Ruth Clark; he bore 
arms under Washington, and was present at the surrender of 
Cornwallis; he died in Alabama when over eighty years old. 
John C. Martin was born of poor but respectable parents. His 
father was not a professor of religion, but his mother was a 
pious and devoted member of the Baptist church ; his parents 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 475 

moved from Kentucky to Georgia when he was only three 
years old, where he was raised to manhood. When he was 
nineteen years old, he apprenticed himself to a Mr. Smith, to 
learn the gunsmith trade, which he followed for a livelihood 
through life. He was married to Miss Jane S. Owens, of 
Maury county, Tenn., March 22, 1821, and from thence he 
moved to Henderson county. In September 1825 he pro- 
fessed religion and was baptized by Rev. Elijah Cross and 
united with the Hopewell Baptist church; he was licensed to 
preach by the same church, November 7, 1829. He was or- 
dained to the full work of the gospel ministry in this church 
October 10, 1832, by Revs. Lemuel Harris, James H. Hall and 
Jacob Browning. The following is a recommendation from 
the Hopewell church, when he left Tennessee for Mississippi, 
and speaks for itself: State of Tennessee, Henderson county, 
June 8, 1848: — We, the United Baptist church at Hopewell; 
to all whom it may concern: This is to certify that Elder 
John Clark Martin, is a member of the Baptist church of Christ 
at this place, where he was baptized twenty-two years ago. He 
has sustained as a citizen, a Christian and a minister of the 
gospel, an untarnished character; and we may further say, that 
his labors have been wonderfully blessed. As a minister of 
the gospel we do much regret his removal from this part of 
the Lord's vineyard. Done in conference and signed by order 
of the church. Wm. Morgan, Moderator, pro tern. Nicho- 
las Darnell, Church Clerk, pro tern. 

He was instrumental in building up many churches and 
baptized hundreds of newly converted souls. From 1848 up 
to his death he labored much in the ministry in Yalobusha, 
Tallahatchie, Carroll, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Calhoun 
counties, Mississippi. Very many precious revivals of religion 
attended his earnest ministrations of the Word of life. He 
was a man of strong intellectual powers, wholly a self-made 
man; went into the ministry almost without education but 
closed his ministerial career a theological giant. Rev. J. C. 
Martin was full of life and hope ; had fine conversational pow- 
ers; was venerable! in his appearance; possessed a fine mascu- 
line voice; and was by nature more fitted to command than to 
obey. The only objection ever urged against him was his 
severity in reproving transgressors in or out of the church. 



476 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

One of the brightest stars in the ministerial galaxy in Missis- 
sippi was his son, Granville H. Martin, who died at Macon, 
Miss., in 1862. Full of years and usefulness, our venerable 
father has gone to his reward in heaven, where father and son 
are uniting their voices in giving glory to God in the highest. 
He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. The officers that 
invested him with the mysteries of Masonry, many years ago, 
presided at his funeral and performed his burial ceremonies. 
Suffice is to say, that he died as he had lived, full of love to 
the Savior and in full view of his heavenly home. John C. 
Martin died September 11, 1867; was pastor of New Hope 
church, and former moderator of the Yalobusha Association. 
His height was five feet seven inches, black hair, eyes black 
and piercing, and weight one hundred and forty-five pounds. — 
Borum's Sketches. 

John P. Hartin was born in Henry county, Virginia, April 
23, 1111. At the age of fourteen his father moved to North 
Carolina. He lived there one year and moved to Warren 
< county, Georgia. He was then a wild, thoughtless youth. At 
the age of nineteen he was married to Miss Esther McKinly. 
In 1803 he united with the Bethlehem Baptist church, Wash- 
ington county, though still living in Warren. In ISO J Fel- 
lowship church, Warren county, was organized and he became 
a member. He was licensed to preach by Fellowship church 
in 1810, having probably been authorized to exhort in 1806. 
There is some doubt as to the date, but it is tolerably certain 
that he was ordained to the full work of the ministry in 1814, 
during the war with Great Britain. Previous to his ordination 
the militia of Georgia had been classified and Mr. Martin fell 
in the first class. This class was ordered to Savannah in 181 I. 
He had been ordained a few months before this order and was 
exempted according to law, but made no effort to avoid the 
service. These facts indicate 1814 as the time of his ordina- 
tion. In November, 1817, he left Georgia and came to Missis- 
sippi, and lived one year in Marion county. He then moved 
to Covington county, where he settled permanently on Holli- 
day's Creek. About the close of 183 7 he moved to Smith 
county. In September, 1839, his wife died. Xear the close of 
the following year he was married to Mrs. Hannah Ford, of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 477 

Lawrence county, whose maiden name was Carmon. She 
died, leaving him a son about six years of age, who is M. F. 
Martin, of Gloster, former professor of mathematics in Missis- 
sippi College. Necessary attention to and care for his mother- 
less boy so confined him at home that he finally was induced to 
marry again. He selected Mrs. Allen, an estimable widow 
whom he had known a number of years. The date of this 
marriage is not given. The third wife died in 1863. He sur- 
vived her nearly four years, and died July 2, 1867, aged ninety 
years two months and seven days. Mr. Martin preached ex- 
tensively and to the acceptance of his brethren during his resi- 
dence in Georgia; and after his removal to Mississippi he lab- 
ored abundantly in almost every direction. His ministry was 
greatly blessed. He never shunned duty; but whatever labor, 
self-denial, or sacrifice it might cost he went resolutely for- 
ward. He possessed great command over his passions and 
consequently was seldom betrayed into imprudence. Being 
a man of a lively turn of mind and sociable dispositions his 
company was always agreeable. He was a good pastor and 
kept peace and order in the churches under his care. His use- 
fulness in associations could not be exceeded by any one. 
Bethany church, Covington county, was gathered by his 
labors, and he served the church as pastor about fourteen 
years, that is, till the close of the year 1833, when he requested 
the church to provide a successor. While under his care the 
church prospered and was blessed with peace and harmony. 
In stature he was below the medium height, strongly built, re- 
markably compact and firm in his bodily structure. His 
mental endowments were of a high order; and if he had been 
favored with the training advantages and opportunities pos- 
sessed by many in our day he would have shone as a bright 
light in the Christian church. 

n. T. flartin, son of John P. Martin, just mentioned, was 
born in Mississippi, in 1842. He lost his mother at the age of 
six, and was reared by a step-mother, and a pious father. He 
received a classical education, and possessing fine native en- 
dowments, well cultured, with a faculty for teaching and tire- 
less energy, he was elected to the chair of mathematics in Mis- 
sissippi College. He filled this position with great ability and 



478 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

success for nine years, until he finally relinquished it entirely 
in order to give himself more fully to the ministry. He gave 
up his professorship about the year 1880. Previous to his 
resignation he had felt called to the work of the ministry and 
in 1877, had been licensed to preach. Immediately, or very 
soon after the close of the war, Mississippi College was found 
to be greatly hampered in its work in two ways : (1). By the 
existence of a number of scholarships aggregating forty-two 
thousand dollars, which practically deprived it of any revenue 
from tuition fees: (2). By the existence of a debt of ten 
thousand dollars, secured by a mortgage on the property 
which rested like a great incubus upon the work of the college. 
Prof. Martin was appointed as agent of the college to try to 
secure the relinquishment of all these scholarships and to raise 
funds to liquidate the debt and remove the mortgage. He 
bravely and fearlessly undertook the herculean task 
and in a reasonable length of time secured the do- 
nation of every scholarship, cancelled the mortgage 
and relieved the property from all indebtedness, and 
added fifty thousand dollars to the endowment in the shape 
of endowment notes. In 1877 he agreed to manage the finan- 
cial and business part of the "Mississippi Baptist Record/' the 
new denominational paper inaugurated by the Baptist State 
Convention. In this sphere of work he was also successful, 
and conducted the paper without financial failure until he re- 
tired from it altogether in 1881 and Dr. Gambrell became 
editor and proprietor. Leaving Clinton in 1881 he located in 
Meridian and became associated, in the fall of 1881, with Rev. 
C. M. Gordon, in the management of the Meridian Female 
College. While Mr. Gordon was the principal, Prof. Martin 
was agent for the college, traveling extensively and preaching 
and representing the college. Remaining in this work one or 
two sessions he removed with his family to Texas and spent 
ten years in Texas in evangelistic labors. He conducted a 
great many special services during these ten years and reports 
an aggregate of about four thousand professions under his 
ministry in these meetings. From Texas he removed to 
Georgia about the year 1890 or 1891, and located in the city 
of Atlanta. In 1892 he returned to Mississippi and settled at 
Gloster. He is now (1894) the pastor of the Gloster church 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 479 

to which he devotes one-half of his time and gives the other 
half to evangelistic work. He is a man of fine mental endow- 
ments. His mind is vigorous, active and alert. He is a man 
of considerable culture and mental attainments. He has a 
wonderfully logical turn of mind, and when once his premises 
are admitted one is led on step by step almost irresistibly to his 
conclusions. He is also a man of splendid physique. He is 
of fully medium size, if not rather over, weighs perhaps one 
hundred and seventy pounds, is strongly and compactly built 
and capable of great physical endurance. 

Thomas Theodore Martin, son of M. T. Martin, and a 
grandson of John P. Martin, was born in Smith county, Missis- 
sippi, April 26, 1862. His early life was spent in the county 
of his birth and when a boy about eight or nine years of age 
moved with his father to Clinton, Miss. Almost his entire 
literary education was received in Mississippi College, but 
along with it he worked a great deal of the time in the "Bap- 
tist Record" office. He graduated from Mississippi College 
with the degree of A. B., in the summer of 1886, taking off the 
first honor of his class. He soon felt irresistibly called to the 
work of the ministry and with a view to the completion of his 
theological training entered the Southern Baptist Theological 
Seminary in October, 1888, where he spent a portion of the 
session of 1888 and 1889. He was ordained to the full work 
of the ministry by the First church, Belton, Texas, May 27, 
1888. He taught mathematics and the natural sciences in 
Baylor Female College, Belton, Texas, from the fall of 1886 
till the summer of 1888. He was pastor of the church at Pen- 
dleton, Bell county, Texas, from July, 1887, till July, 1888. 
At the same time he was pastor of Harmony church, Wilson 
county, Texas, from October, 1887, till August, 1888. He be- 
came pastor of the church at Glenview, Jefferson county, Ky., 
in 1889, and remained in this pastorate for a year or more. 
Later than this he married January 26, 1893, Miss Ruth 
Wyatt, of Waxahatchie, Texas, becoming his fair bride. Be- 
fore his marriage he had become pastor of the Baptist church 
at Leadville, Colorado. The "Record" says: "Our very best 
wishes and most earnest congratulations go with the happy 
young couple for a long and happy married life." 



4^0 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Wylie Alfred Martin was born in Wetumpka, Ala., June 
sity. Feeling the need of special Biblical training for the 
great work of the ministry, he entered the Southern Baptist 
Theological Seminary, while at Greenville, S. C, in Septem- 
ber, 1868, and continued there until May, 1870, graduating in 
some of the important English schools of study. He was or- 
dained to the full work of the ministry at Tuskegee, Ala., in 
May, 1869. He was invited to the pastorate of the church at 
Okolona, Miss., and accepted the invitation, entering upon 
his work there in 1870 and continued in this pastorate until 
some time in 1873. He was pastor of the Grenada church the 
remainder of 1873 and 1874. He was pastor of the Canton 
church from 1875 till some time in 1879. He was then pastor 
at Monroe, Louisiana, from 1879 till 1885. Returning to Mis- 
sissippi, he was pastor at Crystal Springs from 1886 till L891. 
While living at. Crystal Springs he lost his wife, the daughter ot 
Dr. Stackhouse, whom he married during his Okolona pastor- 
ate. He was while in Crystal Springs moderator of the Copiah 
Association several years and also vice-president of the Home 
Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for Missis- 
sippi, for several years. He became pastor at Bowling Green, 
Kw, in 1892, and remained there a year or more, when he ac- 
cepted work in a western State, where he is now located. Mr. 
Mason is an earnest, consecrated man, and is a preacher of 
ability, talent and culture. His labors have been greatly 
blessed and he has been successful for the most part in his 
pastorates. 

John Z. F. Matthews, one of the ministers of the Yazoo 
Association, began preaching and was ordained within the 
bounds of that body. His ordination occurred at Bethlehem 
church, Montgomery county, April, 1877, and the presbytery 
consisted of Revs. H. Pittman, R. A. Cohron and A. H. Booth. 
He was then pastor of several churches in that association. 
He "was a very earnest, pious, laborious minister; and was 
growing fast in the ministerial graces when he was cut down 
by the Master in comparative youth. He was taken from 
labors here to rest with him in the glory world." 

J. J. W. flathis was born, May 21, 1818, two miles east of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 48 1 

Pikeville, Bledsoe county, Tenn. By paternity he is Welsh 
and by maternity Irish. He was reared on a farm of which he 
had control from his thirteenth to his twenty-second year, his 
father having died when he was ten years of age, and he being 
the oldest living child. He was brought up religiously in the 
Methodist faith, and was converted at the age of seventeen. 
He began reading the Scriptures closely and became a Baptist 
at the age of nineteen. He was a tolerably regular attendant 
on the "old-field schools" during the falls and winters until 
nineteen and then went two years to "old Pikeville Academy" 
(a fine school) for two years. Remaining then at home on the 
farm one year, he entered Burrett College, Middle Tennessee, 
for one year; and then returned home and began to teach 
school. He was licensed to preach the g'ospel during the year 
1872. He taught three years, and in the meantime, July, 1874, 
was ordained to the full work of the ministry, doing some 
preaching, which was a great joy to him. He held and assisted 
in a great number of "protracted meetings," seeing a goodly 
number of persons converted and added to the churches, bap- . 
tizing- a number of persons for pastors — he was not a pastor 
then but a teacher. At the end of these three years he entered 
Carson and Newman College in East Tennessee, where he re- 
mained for two years, and left, not quite finishing the course, 
to accept the pastorate of the Second Baptist church, Chat- 
tanooga, Tennessee, where for two years, under God, he had 
a prosperous work. He resigned this pastorate in August, 
1879, on account of his wife's failing health, and for two suc- 
ceeding years his work was that of "a missionary and an 
evangelist," upon which the favor of God rested benignly. Be- 
ing then chosen principal of the Dunlap (Tenn.) high school 
he taught for eighteen months. At the end of this time, hav- 
ing been called, he accepted the pastorate of the Kosciusko 
Baptist church, Mississippi, and began his work there in the 
winter of 1882. He remained in this pastorate three years, giv- 
ing the church one-half of his time, and the other half to the 
Samaria and Thomastown churches in the adjacent country. 
In this field God graciously gave great prosperity. Being in- 
vited to the pastorate of the Canton church he removed to that 
city and entered the pastorate, giving one-half of his time at 
Canton and the other half to Bethesda and Stump Bridge 



482 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

churches, in Madison county, near Canton. In this pastorate 
for two and a half years he had a good and prosperous work. 
But his wife's health failing, he gave up his work in this field 
and went to West Virginia where he remained two years, doing 
principally the work of an evangelist, out of which came some 
good results. Returning to Mississippi in 1890, he did ''field 
work'' for the "Baptist Record" for six months, at which time 
he was called to the pastorate of Handsboro and Biloxi 
churches, in which work he is now (Nov., 1894) engaged, and 
where, although interrupted by the protracted illness and death 
of his wife, together with forced absence from his churches 
for eight months, God has given and is still giving some pros- 
perity, for which he thanks him and takes courage and presses 
forward, more delightfully eager to work for Christ than when 
he first began. He has held and helped to hold, perhaps, not 
less than seventy-five protracted meetings outside of his own 
pastorates, preached about twelve hundred sermons, observed 
the profession of faith of about one thousand souls, baptized 
about two hundred and fifty persons, conducted about six hun- 
dred prayer-meetings, delivered a number of Sunday-school 
addresses, taught several Sunday-school classes, delivered a 
few lectures, published one pamphlet, "Peter in Rome? A 
Universal Bishop? An Infallible Pope?" He has performed 
the marriage ceremony for, perhaps, one hundred and fifty 
couples; conducted the funeral services for no doubt a larger 
number of times; has traveled through most of the Southern 
States: twenty-two years after the civil war risked crossing 
the Ohio and two years later went to Washington City, D. C, 
and to "Mount Vernon." He says: "I have tried to be a 
student — a devout student of the "Word," having taken, at 
home, a part of the Theological Seminary course, and am still 
studying to show myself a workman approved of God." 

J. M. ricAlister. Of this minister of Jesus we have only 
the information that he was ordained to the full work of the 
ministry by Etahoma church, Jasper county. Miss., date un- 
known. The presbyten- consisted of Revs. N. B. Robertson, 
J. P. Johnson and John Moffitt. His fields of labor have 
doubtless been in the county of Jasper and contiguous terri- 
torv. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 483 

James B. McClelland was born in South Carolina, and 
being left an orphan, was raised by an aunt, a pious and zealous 
Methodist lady. He was baptized when W. H. Head, who 
furnishes these facts, first knew him, and was a prominent and 
useful member of the Louisville Baptist church, Winston 
county, Miss., when Mr. Head joined in 1845. "As superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school, leader in prayer-meeting and 
worker in revivals he excelled, in my estimation," says Mr. 
Head, "any I ever knew. He was ordained to the ministry 
at the same time and by the same service as myself, December 
13, 1846. He was a man whose sympathies could be easily 
enlisted in every good word and work. He served several 
churches acceptably as - pastor, but which churches I cannot 
now recall; some in other Associations than the Louisville. 
He was ever more eminently useful in that sphere in which I 
have said I thought him unequaled. He, I think, himself 
concluded that it was to such work he was more especially 
called, and though in a great measure giving up preaching 
in after life, he continued in this work with unabated zeal to 
the last. He died in Bryan, Texas, February, 1881, where, as 
in Macon, Miss., and in Louisville Association, he was widely 
and most favorably known as a Sunday-school worker, a 
fervent leader in prayer, and an efficient sympathetic conver- 
ser with the anxious in leading them to Christ. His religious 
feelings were easily moved, and he often became happy in 
meetings, rarely ever preaching or exhorting without tears. 
He had received not a finished, but a fair, education, had fair 
business talents, was of a genial social disposition, and popular 
as a man. He had many and warm friends wherever he lived, 
was often candidate for civil office, and almost always success- 
ful. He was leader in a revival prayer-meeting of several weeks 
continuance in the church in Louisville, once, in which a num- 
ber of conversions took place, and was during the whole time 
in a most happy frame of mind, praising God and saying; 
'Bless the Lord, O my soul.' Where he last lived, Brvan, 
Texas, as elsewhere he was held in high esteem, and no funeral 
was ever more honored there. Many are now joined in fellow- 
ship above who once held communion in the Louisville Asso- 
ciation," 1 , 



484 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Constant S. McCloud, D. D., was born in or near Boston, 
Massachusetts. At an early acre, say fifteen years, he professed 
religion and was baptized. He was of a Baptist family. At 
the age of about eighteen (I write from memory of conversa- 
tions more than twenty years since) he came out westward 
to Kentucky to teach school, in order to go to college and 
complete his education. He had the ministry then at heart 
and his great desire was to become "a workman that needeth 
not to be ashamed." While teaching, his ardent and devoted 
piety, as well as his young manly face, which always said for 
him", here is a brave, honest man, he struck the attention of a 
widow lady, advanced in vears and of moderate wealth, who 
greatly loved the cause of Christ. Her name is now forgotten 
by the writer. She advanced the sum required to send him to 
Georgetown College, Kentucky, where he spent several vears 
Mr, McCloud, like most men of spirit, did not receive the aid 
of the widow lady as other than a loan, which he was prompt 
to return from proceeds of his first salary after leaving college 
While at college he made the acquaintance of Miss Mary 
Tarvis, of Russellville. Kv.. which ripened into a marriage en- 
gagement, which was consummated after his settlement as 
oastor of the church at Starkville. Miss. She was a brilliant 
and highly cultured lady, and as devoted to the cause of the 
ministry as himself. It was at Starkville and Salem churches, 
in Oktibbeha county, he received the first great harvest in the 
ministry. In connection with "Rev. I. T. Tichenor, then nastor 
of the church at Columbus, Miss., he held meetings at the 
two churches above named, when a revival occurred that the 
writer has not seen enualed since. In the fullness of their 
young strength and faith they toiled tog-ether for weeks, day 
and mVht, with a continued increase, daily, till nearly one 
hundred men and women of culture and influence were added. 
Tn these meetings the characters of the two men were most 
fully delineated. McCloud was the Paul or the Luther, with 
lode and nathos combined, like the thunder and the \yind in 
the storm, bore down all ooposing- opinions. His eve like the 
cade's, and a face of the lion cast, his look itself, y^hen com- 
bined -ith his serious and fearful earnestness. would constrain 
one, already serious to surrender to the force of the storm. 
Tichenor, on the other hand, with the face of a maiden, all 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS 485 

radiant with her first love, a faith as strong as McCloud's, but 
with a manly carriage, little less than senatorial dignity, and 
a voice sweet as Israel's harp-strings in the hand of the Royal 
Psalmist, carried away all hearts, whithersoever he would, and 
they both willed and would lay these captured souls at the 
feet of Jesus and say, "here Lord are the children thou hast 
given us, make them thy own." Mr. McCloud's life in Mis- 
sissippi, after moving to Rodney, or near there to Fellowship 
church, and after to Raymond, was marked by similar success. 
At Fellowship church, in 1850 (as well as the writer can say 
from memory), his first wife died. He afterward married Miss 
Anna Covington, of Raymond, a lady of high social position, 
and every way a help-meet for him. Four children were born 
to them, two of whom Anna Belle and Henry, fell with the 
lamented father, under the fell scourge that brooded over 
Shreveport last fall as an evil bird of darkness from the realms 
of death itself. Oh, fearful and sad was its havoc. Sadness 
and woe, bitter and fearful, was pressed upon that young city, 
as with its older sister, the Bluff City — Memphis — it wailed 
upon the winds and the wires, till a civilized world was aroused 
to agonizing sympathy. Many of the wise, the true, the fair 
and the good of those active citizens fell, but of them all and 
among them all, none superior in mental culture, vigor of 
character, moral worth and unconquerable Christian faith, to 
C. S. McCloud. The Southern Baptist Convention, repre- 
senting more than half a million of membership, grieved at 
the announcement of his death, and more than that number 
will admire the star of brightness in the ministerial galaxy of 
glory in the world to come ; for, without controversy, he was a 
son of thunder in the pulpits of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mis- 
sissippi, Louisiana and Texas, and won many to righteousness. 
Mr. McCloud's co-operation in Central Mississippi with Burns, 
Stambaugh, and the other leading spirits of the Baptist pulpit 
of the State of Mississippi was alluded to by Mr. Lewis in the 
preface to the church resolutions of Jefferson, Texas. As we 
glance at such models and mourn at their loss, it may be pro- 
fitable to leave the current of feelings which run along in old 
channels of friendship, and speak more in candor of history. 

Mr. McCloud was about fifty-seven years of age, having 
preached more than thirty years of that time. We learn that 



486 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



his loved and sorrowing widow has settled at Jefferson, Texas, 
where his last crowning work stands as a monument to his 
memory. Only two children remain ; one (Mollie) married, and 
the other (Charlie) with the mother. He was an industrious 
and persistent laborer and careful of his private matters, as all 
sensible men will be, but the disasters of war, and its sequences 
on our mourning and scattered churches, have told dis- 
astrously on the ministry, and while his widow will trust in 
her loved husband's God and ask no alms, it is due his precious 
memory that the churches and Sunday-schools of Mississippi 
and Louisiana make up (each and every one of them) a con- 
tribution at their January meetings and send it to her, as a 
thank offering to God, in the form of a postoffice order, with 
a prayer to our Father to multiply such ministers and clothe 
us all more in his active, self-sacrificing Spirit. — J. T. F. 

William Andrew Hc- 
Comb, sun of Hugh 
Howard and Minerva J. 
McComb, was born near 
McDonald's Mill, Perry 
county, Miss., Novem- 
ber 8, 1860. He was 
the youngest of four 
children. His father was 
a native of Virginia, his 
mother of Mississippi. 
His father died when he 
was eighteen months 
old; and his mother, a 
widow with her slaves 
freed, did the best she 
could, but his earlier ed- 
ucation was only such as 
the common schools of 
the country then afford- 
ed. On September 21, 
1882, he entered Missis- 
sippi College. In May, 1883, he was converted in a meeting 
held by the pastor of the church in Clinton, Rev. A. V. Rowe, 




REV. W. A. M'COMB. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 487 

assisted by Rev. A. A. Lomax, and, on May 13, 1883, was bap- 
tized. He soon felt impressed to preach, but fought the im- 
pression for nearly two years. In March, 1884, his church 
licensed him to preach. This was the Eastabouchie Baptist 
church, to which, being his home church, he had moved his 
membership. In the summer of 1886 he was, together with 
eleven other students employed as colporteur missionaries. 
He spent ten weeks laboring in Southeast Mississippi, during 
which the Lord blessed his labors and permitted him to see 
many souls born into the Master's kingdom. In August, 
1886, the Eastabouchie Baptist church ordained him to the 
full work of the ministry, the presbytery being Revs. S. O. Y. 
Ray and F. D. Baars. During the session of 1886 and 1887 
he was called as pastor of Hermanville and Learned Baptist 
churches for one Sunday of each month at each church. 
These churches he served acceptably until January, 1888, at 
which time he resigned as he would graduate in the spring and 
intended going to the Seminary. Both churches grew during 
his pastorate. On June 26, 1888, he was graduated from Mis- 
sissippi College with the degree of A. B., and enjoying the 
confidence and respect of professors and students. During 
his college course he was Captain of the Mississippi College 
Rifles (a military company) and was also anniversarian of the 
Philomathean Society, the highest gift in the society. Dur- 
ing the summer of 1888 he traveled in the West, preaching 
occasionally, but more for the purpose of seeing the country 
and visiting relatives. On October 1, 1888, he entered the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, Ky., 
where he remained during the session, completing the full 
Junior course. On September 1, 1889, he entered the middle 
year of the Seminary at Rochester, New York. While there 
during the -session, he was pastor of the Wilder Street Baptist 
church which doubled its membership. On August 20, 1890, 
he was married to Miss E. Louise Carter, of Goodman, Missis- 
sippi, an accomplished young lady and a graduate of Hillman 
College, who proved a devoted companion and true help-meet 
in his work. After marrying he entered the Senior class of the 
Union Theological Seminary, Morgan Park, Chicago. On 
April 16, 1891, he was graduated from this Seminary in the full 
course. He was called to the pastorate of the Corinth Bap- 



488 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

tist church, Miss., previous to his graduation, and went imme- 
diately to his charge, beginning work April 23, 1891. He was 
pastor of this church for twenty-eight months. During this 
time the church increased in members from one hundred and 
eleven to two hundred and fourteen. On account of the fail- 
ing health of his wife, he felt it to be his duty to change loca- 
tion with the hope of her improvement. To the regret of the 
church he resigned to take effect September 1, 1893. He was 
called to Yazoo City and accepted the call, but after being 
there ten weeks resigned because of the poor and failing health 
of his wife. During these ten weeks in Yazoo City there were 
thirty-three accessions to his church. About this time he was 
called to the pastorate of the Eureka Springs, Ark., Baptist 
church. He accepted and went there November 18, 1893, with 
the hope that his wife would recover. But God's will was 
otherwise, and on December 22, 1893, she passed to her rt- 
ward. When he became pastor of the church its membership 
numbered two hundred and twenty-seven, and now (Novem- 
ber, 1894), after a pastorate of twelve months, it numbers five 
hundred and three, and would number six hundred but for the 
fact that many have been dismissed by letter. There have been 
more than four hundred additions during the past twelve 
months. 

William H. McGee was born in Mississippi in 1840. He 
received his collegiate education in Mississippi College, from 
which he was graduated in the summer of 1876. He served 
churches accessible to Clinton, during his college course. 
During the latter part of 1876 and early in 1877 he was mis- 
sionary in the Columbus Association, employed jointly by that 
body and the Baptist State Mission Board, in which he was 
successful. In 1877 he was called to the pastorate of the 
church at Minden, La., which he served acceptably for a 
number of years, and was also secretary of the Louisiana Bap- 
tist Convention. His labors have been abundant. 

Z. ricriath was a pioneer preacher of Yazoo Association. 
Rev. T. S. Wright, says: "He was missionary of our associa- 
tion. L T nder his missionary labors Harland's Creek and Heb- 
ron were constituted. He was a very zealous, laborious and 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 489 

earnest minister, and was a successful revivalist. He came as 
near filling the Bible injunction. 'What your hands find to 
do, do with your might' as any man I ever saw. He was pas- 
tor, too, of Pleasant Ridge church for a year or two. At the 
time of his death he was our missionary in our swamp country, 
and fell at his post with the whole armor on. Long will he be 
remembered with love and affection by all who knew him." 

J. N. Mcriillen. This young brother is the popular and 
most efficient professor of natural sciences and history in Blue 
Mountain Female College. He is in his twenty-fifth year and 
his excellent young wife is the daughter of Rev. St. Clair Law- 
rence now of Texas. Brother McMillin has for years been 
under a growing impression that it was his duty to preach the 
gospel and he has recently yielded to that impression. On 
last Sunday he was ordained to the work by order of the Blue 
Mountain Baptist church. The presbytery consisted of Rev. 
G. W. Gardner, W. T. Lowrey, G. w/Potter, W. G. Thomp- 
son, F. D. Baars and J . F. Hailey. Brother Gardner preached 
a grand sermon. The examination was conducted by the 
writer. The prayer was offered by Brother Baars, the Bible 
was presented by Brother Hailey, Brother Thompson acted as 
moderator and Brother Potter delivered the charge. The con- 
gregation was large and the burning words of Brother Mc- 
Millin in stating his experience of conversion and call to the 
ministry made an impression that will last. May God bless 
him and fulfill our great expectations of his future usefulness. 
Another good sermon from Brother Gardner at night closes 
the day's services. If Brother Gardner preaches as well at 
home as he does abroad, the Oxford saints are fortunate. — W. 
T. Lowrey. 

Mr. McMillin was soon after his ordination invited to the 
pastorate of the Blue Mountain and Ripley churches, and has 
for the past three or four years been the popular and esteemed 
pastor of these churches. He is one of the most promising 
young preachers of the State, and if his life is spared will 
rank with the best. 

Robert Emmet Melvin was born in Pennsylvania in 1811. 
He had the good fortune to receive a good education and in 



4Q0 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHER^. 

young manhood engaged in teaching school. He was born 
again and made a profession of faith in Christ in 1852, and 
was baptized near Brandon, Miss. He chose the law for his 
profession and engaged in the practice of law in the city of 
Jackson until the close of the war. He felt strongly impressed 
with the duty of preaching the gospel but vigorously and 
earnestly resisted these impressions for a long while. He at 
last yielded, and was ordained to the full work of the ministry 
on September 11, 1878, when sixty-seven years of age. Before 
he yielded to these impressions and while practicing law in 
Jackson he found that he could accomplish but little at law 
and decided to go back to his profession of teaching school. 
In seeking employment he walked from Jackson to Meridian, 
a distance of about one hundred miles, at a time when he was 
so afflicted with rheumatism in his feet that he could only 
travel about ten miles per day and some days not the half of 
that. He was a man of sterling integrity and honor, of him 
a strict business man once said to Capt. Buck, of Jackson; 
"A more honest man than R. E. Melvin never lived." He was 
a preacher of much more than ordinary ability, and never 
touched a subject without making it luminous in every part. 
And, while his personnel was very unprepossessing, he had an 
excellent and earnest delivery, and had but to utter a few sen- 
tences to convince his hearers that a man of extraordinary 
mental grasp stood before them. Entering the ministry late 
in life he never spent much time in the pastorate, but traveled 
and preached considerably while able to do so. He was a 
widower for some years in the latter part of his life, and made 
his home with his son in Madison county, at Camden, but often 
spent his winters with a married daughter in Texas. It was 
as a writer of rare vigor and clearness that he was chiefly 
known. He published a number of well written articles in the 
"Baptist Record," which attracted much notice and gave him 
a reputation as a writer of ability. Besides newspaper articles 
he has written and published an extended tract of 82 pages, 
called, "A Peculiar People," which possesses much merit as 
a condensation of Baptist peculiarities. In the introduction 
the author remarks: 'This little work first appeared in dif- 
ferent parts of North Mississippi, at different times, during the 
summer of 1881. I was so frequently solicited to prepare it 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 491 

for the press, that at length I undertook it, intending only to 
bring it out in newspaper form." It was afterwards put in this 
tract form. He further says: "In the summer of 1880, I 
went one day to a Methodist meeting, in the village of Camden, 
Madison county, Mississippi, and, after service, in company 
with the two preachers, went to dine with a mutual friend. 
During the social hour of my stay, one of the preachers, Rev. 
T. M. Ward, M. D., of Madison county, took frequent oc- 
casion to say U3 me, and of me: "I think you are a very pe- 
culiar man." This he repeated so frequently, and with such 
marked emphasis, that it profoundly impressed me, so much so 
that, on my way home in the evening, the remark would re- 
turn upon me. At length I concluded: Yes, the doctor is 
right; I am decidedly a peculiar man; but only one of a vast 
multitude, who taken together, constitute a very peculiar 
people." 

Some Anecdotes: Mr. Melvin was an Irishman, and had 
an abundant measure of the quickness and wit which distin- 
guish that people. On one occasion he had heard the writer 
preach in the Jackson Baptist church on the subject of God's 
Sovereignty. The next day, meeting him in the "Baptist Rec- 
ord" office, said: "I don't know how well you can preach; 
but if that's the best you can do on God's Sovereignty, I can 
beat you." Again, noticing in the "Record" a dilemma of 
ours in reference to the famous passage in John 3 :5, and, dis- 
agreeing with the interpretation, said he intended to break both 
horns off of that dilemma and turn it out to grass a helpless 
muley." It is fair to add that, although this was several years 
before his death he never dehorned the dilemma: Why? can 
only be a matter of conjecture and every one is absolutely free 
to make his own conjecture. On one occasion, while in 
Texas, he was preaching to a large audience. In the audience 
were quite a number of the Disciples, who utterly repudiate the 
name, Campbellite. During his sermon he had occasion to 
refer to them or to their tenets, and spoke of them as "Camp- 
bellites." Instantly a man sprang to his feet in the audience 
and, in great excitement and anger exclaimed: "We don't 
tolerate that here, sir." In the utmost calmness and com- 
posure. Mr. Melvin looked steadily at him a moment and then 
very deliberately asked: "Are you a Campbellite, my friend?" 



492 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

His eyes flashed fire and in still greater excitement he ex- 
claimed: "No, I am not, sir!" "Then," replied Mr. Melvin, 
with great composure, "please take your seat; for if you are not 
a Campbellite, I am not talking about you.' Of course he 
was foiled, and subsided, as the preacher placed the whole 
matter upon the man's own appropriation or non-appropria- 
tion of the epithet. Again, he was known to be fond of very 
strong coffee, and at the elegant home of a friend, while sipping 
his coffee leisurely at the breakfast table, he turned and looked 
very comically at his hostess and asked; "My sister, did you 
ever see coffee strong enough to bear up an iron wedge?'' 
Fearing that there was in the question a covert criticism of 
the coffee she blushed, but replied: "Why, no, brother Mel- 
vin." "I have," he said. Enjoying her surprise and blank ex- 
pression as long as he wished to, he remarked: "But it was 
frozen." On the evening of August 20, 1890, this good and 
great man, though "to fortune and to fame unknown," "sus- 
tained and soothed by an unfaltering trust," approached his 
grave, "like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about 
him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." 

Thomas fiercer, says Cathcart (Bap. Encyc., p. 781), was 
"an able and zealous Baptist minister, who removed froin 
Georgia in 1808 and settled in Southwestern Mississippi, and 
was an early laborer in spreading Baptist sentiments. To fa- 
cilitate the cultivation of the song-service of the churches he 
compiled a collection of excellent hymns. He aided in the 
formation of the Mississippi Association/' and was moderator 
in 1811. "In 1871 Thomas Mercer and Benjamin Davis were 
requested by the association to visit the Creek Indians and in- 
quire what could be done towards the establishment of schools 
and the introduction of the gospel among them, and the funds 
of the association were applied to their use, and they were re- 
quired to account to the Mississippi Society for Baptist Mis- 
sions, Foreign and Domestic. Upon this journey Mercer 
died, and was buried among strangers." (Bap. Encyc, p. 78-. ) 
His death occurred some time between October, 1818, and 
October, 1819, as the minutes of the Mississippi Association, 
October, 1819, has this: "Departed this life since our last an- 
nual meeting, our beloved and venerable Eld. Thomas Mercer. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 493 

The association offer this as a testimony of their affectionate 
remembrance of him, whilst they regret their loss, in the death 
of one who was zealous and indefatigable in his ministerial 
labors, useful, and much beloved." 

Isaac merchant was born in the year 1800, in the south- 
eastern portion of Georgia. At the age of twenty his father 
moved to Copiah county, Mississippi. This was compara- 
tively a new company then and educational facilities were very 
meager. His education was therefore, quite limited. In 1830 
he was happily converted to God, and about this time he with 
his wife moved to Holmes county, Miss., where he united with 
the church "of course, it was a Baptist church for there are no 
other New Testament churches" — in 1832. Soon after he was 
ordained to the deaconship, in which capacity he served until 
1840 or 1841. Between 1832 and 1840 he moved from Holmes 
to Leake county, Miss. And in 1840 or 1841 he was 
liberated to preach the gospel. ' In 1842 he was ordained to 
the full work of the gospel ministry. His labors were be- 
stowed in Leake, Neshoba and Scott counties, but principally 
in Leake. He was one of the pioneer preachers of this county, 
laboring incessantly for about thirty years in his Master's 
cause, the cause that lay nearest his heart. In his labors he 
would often travel in the summer season two or three or four 
weeks at a time, never having the privilege of seeing his family 
during that whole period. He would preach to large crowds 
of people in the old-fashioned log school-houses, with punch- 
eons or dirt floors, with logs or slabs for seats, or under hastily 
constructed brush arbors, or in some densely shaded place in 
the grove. These crowds came for miles in ox-carts or wa- 
gons, on their ponies or a-foot, any way to get there ; and they 
received the Word gladly and many were regenerated and bap- 
tized, and the cause of Christ was built up. He assisted in 
the organization of the following churches, in Leake and Attala 
counties, Yokanookany, Centre Hill, Providence, Jerusalem, 
Edwards, and four or five south of Pearl River, besides others 
in other places. In 1873 his health failed and he was never 
able to preach any more, except an occasional sermon. The 
last ten years of his life were years of great suffering, but his 
anxiety for the salvation of sinners and the prosperity of the 



494 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

churches never abated. On July 6, 1883, he fell asleep in 
Jesus, and his body was laid to rest in hope. — Contributed by 
Rev. W. P. Dorrill. 

Robert Winfred Merrill was born near Hazlehurst, 
Copiah county, Mississippi, September 13, 1860. After the 
usual attendance upon the common country schools he entered 
Mississippi College for the purpose of completing his educa- 
tion. Here he spent several terms and was graduated from 
Mississippi College, with the degree of A. B., in the summer 
of 1880. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry at 
Hays' Creek church. Mongomery county, Miss., in 1884, dur- 
ing his college course. He supplied the church at Hardy, 
Miss., in 1883 and 1884; Hays' Creek church, Miss., in 1884 
and 1885; and the Bethlehem church, Miss., in 1885. While 
a college student he was pastor of the church at Magnolia, 
Miss., from October, 1885, till October, 1887, one year or 
more after graduation. He became pastor of the Valence 
Street church, New Orleans, La., and continued there from - 
March 1. 1888, until September. L892. For a young man he 
sustained himself well in this church in the southern metro- 
polis, and was held in the highest esteem by his membership. 
Mr. Merrill is an Apollos, "fervent in spirit," and very earnest 
and zealous in his labors. In his preaching he lays righteous- 
ness to the line and judgment to the plummet, and fearlessly 
denounces sin wherever found. 

In September, 1802. he became pastor of the church at 
Carrollton, Miss., where he was heard with the greatest inter- 
est, and quite a number under his ministry were gathered into 
the church. Remaining here until the latter part of 1893, he 
accepted an invitation to the important pastorate of the church 
at Beaumont, Texas. Here he threw himself with all the 
energy and fervor of his nature into the work of his pastorate 
and saw the work of the Lord prospering in his hand. The 
First church. Grenada, however, rinding itself without a pastor, 
and casting about for an under-shepherd, fixed their eyes upon 
the young Beaumont pastor, and said, "You are the man we 
want." He listened to the call and now (November, 1894,) 
is the esteemed pastor of the First Baptist church, Grenada, 
Miss. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 495 

John Micou. Rev. W. H. Head thus writes: "John 
Micou was a Baptist preacher in Virginia and retained through 
life the impress of his native State. He removed to Alabama 
and then to Mississippi, where we find him at least as early as 
1837. He lived long in the northern part of Winston county 
on one of the head-waters of Noxubee River, and was pastor 
for years of Louisville and Concord churches and perhaps 
others. Concord he mainly gathered and organized. For a 
settled pastor he traveled and preached a good deal over the 
State, attending many of the larger meetings of the conven- 
tion and associations in which he took a prominent part and 
was heard with respect. Of the old Choctaw Association he 
was long a member and a leading one with Lattimore, Ross, 
Barns and others. Brother Micou was not educated but well 
read in Baptist literature and the Bible, and was almost author- 
ity with us in doctrine, usage and practice. He was a decided 
Baptist and preached the faith he held, but was an anti-land- 
marker on the agitation of that question, favoring fraternal 
intercourse with pedo-baptists by the invitation of their min- 
isters to occupy our pulpits. Yet in giving utterance to his 
Baptist faith he more than frequently offended pedo-baptists 
than some land-markers did. He had the 'holy tone/ as it 
is sometimes called, in preaching; so that once after hearing 
him, a brother asked, 'Brother Micou, did you preach us a 
song or sing us a sermon?' He told this himself and enjoyed 
it. Many thought he repeated himself a great deal in preach- 
ing, but it was only because there were certain words and 
phrases of frequent recurrence with him. He entered deeply 
into the gospel and preached its doctrines logically. At one 
time, for his attainments, no minister in the State was more 
highly thought of, or wielded a wider influence for good. He 
felt himself a leader among Baptists, and was at times impa- 
tient at opposition; but was a good man." In his day John 
Micou was a recognized power among Mississippi Baptists. 
He was present at the early conventions and was placed in 
positions of honor and trust. He often traveled as the agent 
of the convention. While he "magnified his office" he accom- 
plished much good in the cause of Christ. 

R .D. Middleton, long and favorably known to the people 



496 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

of Strong River Association, died at his home near Pleasant 
Hill, La., recently of paralysis. He was raised in Copiah county, 
Miss. In early life he came to Simpson county, and was 
married to Miss Nancy Miller, of said county. He attached 
himself to the Baptist church at Palestine, and soon after was 
ordained a minister, and preached earnestly the gospel of 
Christ until he became disabled by infirmity. Few men of 
this day made greater sacrifices for the cause of religion than 
Brother Middleton. — G. P. Touchstone. 

D. Jasper Miley, son of D. H. and P. A. Miley, was born 

of humble parentage, near Daniel, Smith county, Miss., Nov. 
9, 1868. Being the son of a farmer, his lot was, as one might 
suppose, cast among the tillers of the soil. Notwithstanding 
this, he, at a very early age, became a lover of books and a 
seeker of knowledge. At the age of ten he attended school 
with a marked degree of success. Thus he continued, from 
time to time, attending, during the leisure time of farm life, 
the common country schools until about the age of sixteen, 
when lie attended the Sylvarena High School, at Sylvarena, 
.Miss. After this he was enabled to teach in the public schools, 
and thus continued for some time farming and teaching alter- 
nately. Tn August, 1884, he was, after a long conviction, con- 
verted and baptized into the fellowship of Rock Bluff Baptist 
church, by his now much loved pastor, Rev. W. P. Chapman. 
From this time there began to deepen a conviction in him 
that " woe is me if I preach not the gospel.'' In the summer 
of 1887 he was licensed by the church to exercise his gifts in 
the ministry. In the fall of 1888 he entered Mississippi 
College, where he remained until the following spring, when 
on account of sickness, he was forced to return to the farm. 
There he continued to work, teach, and do "ways'de work" in 
the ministry till the summer of 1802, when, to better equip 
himself for the great work, he attended a theological insti- 
tute at East Lake. Ala. Returning home, on the following 
December 28, he was happily united in marriage to Miss 
Ophelia Russell, one of Smith county's brightest jewels. On 
the first Lord's day in December, 1893, he was, by the im- 
position of hands, set apart to the full work of the ministry, 
Rev?. W. P. Chapman. T. J. Miley and W. H. Boone consti- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 497 

tuting the presbytery. Thus he entered the first year of his 
pastoral life in the year 1894, with a thoroughly fixed purpose 
to "labor on" in the great vineyard of the Master till the close 
of day; and ever cherishing the hope that life's short day will 
close in the twilight of death only to dawn afresh on the morn- 
ing of an everlasting day. 

T. J. fliley, son of D. G. and Artemesia Miley, was born 
in Scott county, Miss., April 9, 1855. His father was from the 
Carolinas and was a licensed preacher but was never ordained. 
His mother's father was Carmon Myers, a staunch Baptist. 
His early childhood was spent in Smith county, near the 
old White Oak Baptist church. At the breaking out of the 
war his father volunteered as a Confederate soldier in the 
Sixth Mississippi regiment. So his mother was sent to Ran- 
wounded and was brought to the grandfather's, near Brandon. 
The father served till near the close of the war, at the little 
fight of Baker's Creek, Hinds county, he was seriously 
wounded and was brought to the grand father's, near Brandon. 
There he remained till the surrender, and then, with the mother 
and three little children, and no home or money, he moved 
to Smith county and bargained for land. Young Miley, the 
oldest child, had to largely support the family. There were 
no schools accessible, and had there been any he could not 
have attended. In a few years, however, he was able to at- 
tend two months of a three months' school in that community, 
and thus continued four or five years, learning to read and 
write a little. At fifteen years of age he was convicted of 
sin under the preaching of Rev. John Fletcher. In some way 
obscure to him he was led on until he hopes he was con- 
verted some time during the following year, but how, when 
or where, he cannot tell. On the fifth Sunday in August, 
1872, he joined the Rock Bluff church under the charge of 
Rev. S. J. Hitt, and was baptized by Mr. Hitt the following 
Thursday. On Dec. 10, 1873, he was married to Miss Mis- 
souri Franklin, daughter of Rev. T. J. Franklin, who had 
considerable the advantage of him in education. They lived 
one year at the old home on Strong River, Smith county, 
and made a crop of their own, and then moved to Rankin 
county. There he farmed for a support, holding his member- 



49$ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ship still in Rock Bluff church and attending the meetings 
there, glad when the days of service came. He was deeply inter- 
ested in the business and devotional meetings of the church. 
From 1S80 to 1882 he felt impressed to preach, but put the 
thought as far away as possible for it frightened him. Still 
it would ever return and with increasing power. Somehow 
the church discerned his state of mind and asked him if he 
did not think he should preach, and he told them he thought 
not. In the spring of 1883 Rev. Z. T. Faulkner, requested him 
to open services for him. He did so, and was more than ever 
impressed that he should preach. So he continued, by invita- 
tion, to speak in church and lead the services, not believing 
he ever could preach. He felt willing but unable, as he could 
hardly read. Without some educational advantages he felt 
he could not undertake the work. He could not feel that God 
wanted one so ignorant to preach. He read the Bible closely 
and carefully, having no other books. The impressions grew. 
In September, 1884, the pastor was to be absent and requested 
him to preach for him, to which he reluctantly consented. 
After careful study he preached his first sermon from Rev. 
6:17. The church encouraged him and in October, 1884, he 
was licensed. He moved to Sylvarena, Smith county, and 
remained in the school there, under Rev. E. S. Robinson, 
every day for ten months. Rev. N. L. Clarke was then pastor 
of the church there ; one of God's noblemen, he advised young 
Miley to preach on Sundays in the neighborhood, and the 
people requested it. So he preached two Sundays of each 
month at school houses near by. At the close of the school, 
by request, he returned to his former home and taught a six 
months' school. He was called to the pastorate of County 
Line church. He objected to his ordination, but his church 
insisted and on September 6, 1885, he was ordained by the 
Rock Bluff church, Revs. W. R. Butler and W. P. Chapman 
being the presbytery. He began preaching for County Line 
church without any agreement as to salary, which he now 
confesses was a mistake. Rev. Z. T. Faulkner resigned Union 
church and Mr. Miley was called to fill his place for one-fourth 
of his time. In April, 1886, he became pastor of Rehoboth 
church, Simpson countv. His first year's work was encour- 
aging. In January, 1887. he returned to the Sylvarena 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 499 

school, leaving his family at home, and preached Saturdays 
and Sundays, riding sixty or seventy miles from Friday, noon, 
until Monday morning, at school. He was thus in school 
five months, and returned to his farm and home, serving the 
churches still on Sundays. To his pastorate Shady Grove had 
been added, making the number four, and his salary was less 
than two hundred dollars, with a wife and seven children to 
care for. Here his farm supplemented nicely. He felt the 
need of Biblical training and longed for it, and unable to 
secure it he procured good books, such as Pendleton's and 
Spurgeon's, which greatly helped him. His work grew; from 
five churches he tried to serve nine churches and stations in 
1890. He was that year appointed missionary by the State 
Convention Board to points in Scott county. He was at- 
tracted by a notice of Dr. D. I. Purser's Theological Institute 
at East Lake, Ala., and attended this in the summer of 1891, 
deriving much benefit from the lectures, and meeting of 
Drs. Purser, Basil Manly, G. S. Anderson, S. H. Ford, Pick- 
ard and others; and in June, 1892, went back and took another 
course. In 1893 he attended Dr. Gambrell's course of lectures 
in Clinton, and was greatly pleased. He is now taking the 
pastor's course arranged and conducted by Dr. Gatnbrell. 
In 1891 he was elected moderator of the Springfield Associa- 
tion, which office he still holds. 

He has a great thirst for educational advantages, but 
finds a more thorough course impracticable as he has paid 
" ten hostages to fortune," and has a meagre salary, which 
has never been more than four hundred and fifty dollars. His 
oldest son manages the farm. He has one hundred and fifty 
volumes in his library, from Pendleton, Boyce, Broadus, Spur- 
geon, Moody, Fuller, Jamison, Fausett and Brown, Matthew 
Henry and other great and good men. Of all he feels most 
indebted to Pendleton and Spurgeon. He rejoices that he 
has built up his home church, Union, from a poor weakling 
to one of the best in all the country, and which gave fiftv 
dollars in 1893 for foreign missions, "a thing unknown in 
these parts heretofore." He is called indefmitelv. He has 
baptized his neighbors, their children and three of his own 
children. In seven years he has preached one thousand and 
eighty-five sermons; baptized three hundred and eighty -five 



500 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



persons, sixty of whom were Methodists, foru Presbyterians 
and one Campbellite; has traveled twelve thousand one hun- 
dred and thirty-nine miles; has received as compensation 
one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine dollars and 
twenty-eight cents; and collected for all benevolent objects and 
missions six hundred dollars. Anxiety for his churches and 
work is still intense and he says: "God helping, I will give 
my life and time to his work. My wife deserves special men- 
tion. She has been a co-worker, and has helped me in even- 
way, and in possessing my scant supply of knowledge. I 
add my testimony as a witness to the truth that God is rich 
in mercy towards all who obey his blessed commands. 
Amen." 



A. J. Miller. The 

subject of this sketch was 
born of pious parents in 
Copiah county. Miss., 
near Hazlehurst, Novem- 
ber 12, 1847, and was the 
eldest of eleven children. 
He was old enough to 
take part in the civil war 
and enlisted as a volun- 
teer in Company C, Moor- 
man's Battalion of Cav- 
alry, Adam's Brigade, 
serving with that com- 
pany until the close of the 
struggle. He was con- 
verted under the preach- 
ing of Rev. William B. 
Gallman in 1869 and 
united with Damascus 
REV. A. J. MILLER. church, near Hazlehurst 

and was baptized by Rev. Ed. Freeman. He was licensed to 
preach by the same church in the fall of 1870, and entered 
Mississippi College in February, 1871. He was graduated 
from this institute in the A. B. course in June, 1875. Having 
been invited to the pastorate of Antioch church, Warren 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. $0i 

county, in 1875, he was called to ordination by Damascus 
church, and Saturday and Sunday, the 6th and 7th days of 
March, 1875, were designated as the time for the ordination 
service. The presbytery, by invitation, consisted of Revs. J. 
A. Hackett, A. A. Lomax, J. R. Farish, D. I. Purser, R. H. 
Purser, T. J. Walne and Jesse Woodall. J. A. Hackett 
preached the sermon and led in the examination of the can- 
didate. For two years he served acceptably Antioch church 
as pastor and baptized many people into the fellowship of that 
grand old church. The first to receive the ordinance at his 
hands were Mrs. Ed. and William Cotten, May 16, 1875. He 
was married to Miss Rosa Lee, of Amite county, on December 
24, 1879. Through all the years since s'he has entered heartily 
with her husband into the work of the Master wherever they 
have been called to labor. Her wise counsel and tender sym- 
pathy have greatly helped the preacher in his efforts to pro- 
mote the interests of Zion. His second pastorate was at 
Port Gibson, Claiborne county, and Fellowship, Jefferson 
county. These churches he successfully served for four years. 
At Port Gibson a new house of worship was erected. The 
third pastorate was at Crystal Springs and continued for five 
years. Here his labors were abundant, and were greatly 
blessed in building up both the spiritual and material interests 
of the cause. A neat and commodious brick house of worship 
and a comfortable parsonage were erected for this people in 
1883. While pastor at Crystal Springs he served Beaure- 
gard church two years where another house of worship was 
built but was destroyed by the terrible cyclone of 1883. New 
Zion church, five miles from Crystal Springs, also received 
for two or three years his efficient pastoral service. It was at 
the close of a meeting with this church that he had the pleas- 
ure of baptizing his brother David, one of the well-known 
twin brothers. 

At the close of a highly prosperous pastorate he was 
called to the care of the Aberdeen church. Here he spent 
eight years of his ministerial life and led in the building of 
one of the most beautiful and convenient houses of worship 
in the State, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. This church 
under his wise leadership and faithful preaching became strong 
and influential. He has filled other positions of honor and 



502 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

importance among his brethren. For five years he was Re- 
cording Secretary of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention, 
and for many years was Clerk of the Union Association. At 
the writing of this sketch (November, 1894 ) he is in Yazoo 
City, Miss., pastor of the Baptist church there under appoint- 
ment of the Convention Board and at the call of the church. 
He has been there but a short time but has taken a strong 
hold upon the church and people. He is one of our wisest 
and strongest pastors and is of unreproachable life and integ- 
rity. 

Edmund Boston Hiller was born in Greenville, S. C, 
February 3, 1853. He received his collegiate training in 
Union University, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and at the same 
institution, known as the South Western Baptist University, 
Jackson, Tenn. From this institution he was graduated in 
June, 1S80, in the A. B. course, and three years later received 
from his alma mater the honorary degree of A. M. He also 
received certificates four years for reading the prescribed 
courses in the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. He 
entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louis- 
ville, Ky., in the fall of 1880 and pursued his theological studies 
for three sessions, becoming a full graduate of the Seminary 
June, 1883. He was ordained to the full work of the minis- 
try the fifth Sunday in June, 1883, at Grenada, Miss. He be- 
came pastor of the Grenada church in October, 1883. Dur- 
ing his Seminary course he became enamored of one of Louis- 
ville's fair daughters and brought her with him as his bride 
in his Grenada pastorate. She is pious and accomplished 
and is a strong ally of her husband in his arduous labors. 
He continued in the pastorate at Grenada until March, 1892, 
steadily growing in the affections of the people and in influ- 
ence in the community. While there he led his people in the 
erection of one of the neatest and most comfortable brick- 
church edifices in the State, costing twelve or fifteen thousand 
dollars. Mr. Miller is a preacher of decided ability, of pleas- 
ing address, and forcible and earnest delivery. Among the 
ministry of the State he ranked as among the very best and was 
one of the leading factors in the denominational policy and 
work of the State. His people in Grenada were devoted to 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 503 

him and wer.e filled with grief when they knew he had said 
"yes" to one of the invitations he was receiving to other fields 
of labor. In the spring of 1892 he said "good-bye" to his 
beloved people and set his face westward to become pastor 
of the important city church at Arkadelphia, Ark., the domi- 
cile of a flourishing denominational college. At this time 
(November, 1894 ) he is the esteemed pastor in that city, 
abounding in labors, growing in the favor of the people, and 
wields a strong and excellent influence among the Baptists 
of Arkansas. 

Leonard Hugh flilliken was born in Logan county, Ky., 
August 21, 1813. He was educated at Nashville, Tenn., and 
graduated October 3, 1838. He professed religion in his 
native county December 27, 1832, and was baptized into the 
fellowship of the Whippowil Baptist church, an arm of Pleas- 
ant Grove Baptist church, by Rev. R. T. Anderson, and or- 
dained at the instance of the Pleasant Grove church, by Revs. 
William Warder, O. H. Morrow, and R. T. Anderson, with 
Deacons John Hale and John W. Foster. 

He was married by Rev. Jeremiah Burns, to Miss Mary 
Lavinia Moody, daughter of Maj. Epps Moody, at his resi- 
dence, Clear Brook, Hardeman county, Tenn., July 8, 1841. 
He spent the year 1839 in evangelistic labors in North Ala- 
bama; came to Memphis in the winter of 1839 and 1840 and 
took charge of the First Baptist church for one year. In 
the winter of 1841 and 1842 he went to Somerville, Fayette 
county, Tenn., where he remained, teaching school and 
preaching to the Somerville Baptist church, until the winter 
of 1850 and 1851, when, upon the invitation of the church of 
that city he moved to Aberdeen, Miss., where he labored six 
years for the church. In the spring of 1856 he accepted a 
call of the Baptist church in Jackson, Miss., where nearly 
four years was spent in preaching for the church. In 1860 
he came to his plantation in Hardeman county, near Grand 
Junction, Tenn., to recruit his health, which was failing him 
from excessive and long continued labor in pastoral work. In 
1862 he became chaplain of the Thirteenth Tennessee Regi- 
ment (Confederate service), under command of Gen. A. J. 
Vaughn, Jr., and continued in that service — preaching and 



504 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

praying — until the winter before the close of the war, when 
he resigned and returned to his home near LaGrange, Tenn. 
Since the war he has been engaged in teaching and preaching 
the gospel. Through his efforts a neat and substantial house 
of worship has been built in LaGrange, costing five thou- 
sand dollars, and the foundation of one laid in Somerville, 
Tenn., the county site of Fayette county, the estimated cost of 
which is eight thousand dollars, with a fair prospect of com- 
pletion, if the money market gets no worse. At Memphis, 
Somerville and LaGrange he met with success, and in Jack- 
son and Aberdeen very considerable success. He has had 
nine children, six of whom are living — one son and two daugh- 
ters married — one son going to the South Western Baptist 
University, Jackson, Tenn. He is five feet nine inches high; 
usual weight, one hundred and forty-five pounds, and of fine 
personal appearance and dignified mien. 

Mr. Milliken is regarded as one of the best preachers in 
the land; he is possessed of rare preaching abilities, and is 
not acting like some ministers, when old age begins to creep 
upon them, excuse themselves and retire from the field, but 
seems to grow more zealous and active in the Master's cause, 
as the shadows lengthen upon the plane. He has succeeded 
in the last few years in rearing the best and most elegant church 
structure in LaGrange, and if he lives a few years longer, will 
doubtless finish the one commenced at somerville. He 
pays tasteful attention to his personal appearance; you will 
find him always in neat and becoming costume; he usually 
walks with a handsome cane. He is a man and minister of 
unaffected piety; he has been the moderator of Big Hatchie 
Association, and the vice-president of the West Tennessee 
Baptist Convention. A writer giving "pen sketches" of min- 
isters, belonging to the Big Hatchie Association, in "The 
Baptist," of October, 1870, notices him as follows: "Rev. L. 
H. Milliken is a man of fair strength, and his silvery, musical 
voice always charms. He is laboring assiduously to build 
up the little flock at LaGrange, almost gratuitously. Max- 
God's blessings attend his labors.'' — Borum's Sketches. 

William Minter was born in Vermont, December 6, 1801, 
and died in Mississippi, November 6, 1881. He was nearly 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 505 

eighty years of age. His early advantages were limited, but 
upon his conversion and call to the ministry, he completed his 
education at Hamilton Theological Seminary. His heart was 
in the work of Foreign Missions, and but for some deficiency 
in his classical education, he would have been appointed a 
missionary to China. Failing to secure an appointment to 
the foreign field, he was sent West. He landed in Memphis 
in the prime of his manhood and when that city was in her in- 
fancy. A short time after he became a laborer in Mississippi, 
and exerted no ordinary influence in organizing and develop- 
ing the churches in Central and North Mississippi. 

Mr. Minter was a good man, and a preacher of some note. 
It may be said of him that he had the courage of his convic- 
tions. He was prominent in those days in politics, in busi- 
ness, in religion. His name is revered by those who knew 
his worth. His last days were full of suffering, but he en- 
dured patiently, and longing for home, he fell asleep and en- 
tered into rest. — Semi-Centennial History of Mount Paran 
Baptist Church, by Dr. J. T. Zealy. 

J. F. riitchell was born August 18, 1859, in Choctaw county. 
Miss., and has been a citizen of that and adjoining counties 
since his birth. His father's name was James M. Mitchell, 
who enlisted in the Confederate service in 1862, and went into 
the war of the States. He died the same year, leaving the 
mother with four little children to provide and care for, and 
these little ones was all she had. She owned not a thing in 
the world as a material resource in caring for her children. 
Our subject, however, feels greatly indebted to his mother for 
her parental care, love, industry and economy. These straight- 
ened circumstances prevented his obtaining a collegiate edu- 
cation. He only received a grammar education in the high 
schools, and attended State Springs schools, also similar ones 
at Bellefontaine, Lodi and Cumberland. He was converted 
and became a member of a Baptist church in 1874. Soon af- 
terwards he felt impressed with the duty of preaching, and 
commenced as a licentiate in 1877. He was ordained by 
Spring Hill church, December 25, 1881, his ordination being 
asked for by Wake Forest church, near Cumberland, Miss. 
He was immediately chosen pastor of this church and has 



5 o6 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

been its pastor ever since. Since his pastoral services began 
he has baptized into Wake Forest church nearly one hundred 
members. He has served as pastor the following churches: 
Pine Bluff, Spring Creek, County Line, Cumberland Bethel, 
Montpelier, Enon, New Hope, Hebron and Milligen's Springs, 
and has baptized between three and four hundred into the fel- 
lowship of these churches. These churches are located in 
Webster, Clay and Chickasaw counties. He is now thirty- 
four years old and is still engaged in the work. He received 
some seven or eight calls for pastoral services for the present 
year (1894). He says : "By the grace of God I am determined 
to go on until God shall say: 'thy task is done: lay thine ar- 
mor down; come up higher, 1 where we toiling laborers will 
rest.'' 

W.W. Mitchell was born in Hancock county, Mississippi, 
November 24, 1848, and was reared to manhood in the neigh- 
borhood where he was born and has never lived over thirty 
miles from the place of his birth. His opportunities for ed- 
ucation were very poor in his boyhood, ana ne has gathered 
the greater portion of his education since his marriage, by 
getting a little here and a little there from those who are edu- 
cated He was converted when about eighteen years of age, 
and joined Palestine Baptist church in Hancock county, Miss, 
and was baptized by Rev. A. M. Slaydon, September, 1867. 
He soon felt impressed with a call to the ministry, but sup- 
pressed the divine call until June 8, 1885, when he was licensed 
to preach the gospel by Hickory Creek church, Hancock 
county, Miss. He was set apart to the full work of the minis- 
try by request of his church (Hickory Creek), by the follow- 
ing presbytery: Revs. J. B. Flanagan, R. R. Breland and 
Abner Walker. He was married to Miss Jane Bounds, May 
25 1871 He has since served the following churches as pas- 
tor: Grain Creek, two years; New Hope, two years; An- 
tioch, three years; Palestine, four years; Henily Field four 
years; and Pine Grove, two years. He was elected clerk of 
his (the Hobolochitto) Association in October, 188o, which 
position he has held ever since. His place of residence is now 
Poplarville, Pearl River county, Mississippi. He says: 1 
have no idea how many persons I have baptized, nor now 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. $07 

many marriage ceremonies I have performed. There are one 
or two things remarkable about my life, and Rev. A. M. Slay- 
don. I was converted under Brother Slaydon's preaching. He 
baptized me, and rode about sixteen miles to perform the mar- 
riage ceremony for me, and he made me a Mason." 

T. P. riontgomery. "Judson can boast no preacher of 
higher order of talent than T. P. Montgomery. For many 
years after the death of Rev. A. L. Stovall, he was the mod- 
erator of that body. He possessed great force of character, 
and tenaciously maintained and defended the distinctive doc- 
trines of the church with earnestness and ability in the face of 
all opposition. He met with the body for the last time at its 
session of 1880, which convened with Oak Hill church, in 
Pontotoc county, over which session he presided as moder- 
ator. In the following winter or spring, under a dark cloud 
of persecution, he left the State for Texas. Soon after reach- 
ing there he died. Perhaps he had his faults. Who has not? 
But the soft memories of his virtues yet linger like twilight 
hues, to render the name of Brother Montgomery illustrious 
among the departed ministers of Judson Association." 

The labors of Mr. Montgomery were not confined to the 
Judson Association. For a number of years he was mission- 
ary of the Columbus Association and also in other similar 
bodies. Among the writer's earliest recollections of ministers 
is the earnest preaching of Mr. Montgomery in revival meet- 
ings in the Mayhew, Prairie and Starkville churches in the 
Columbus Association. He was also pastor of some churches 
in that body, and his evangelistic and pastoral labors were 
greatly blessed. He removed from that. Association to Lee 
county, Miss., Judson Association, where he lived until he re- 
moved to Texas, where he died in March, 1881. 

J. n. Moore, an excellent minister of Jesus Christ, residing 
at Union, Miss., deserves mention in these pages. We have 
been able to secure only a very small amount of information 
as to his life and work. He was ordained by County Line 
church, Neshoba county, in 1869. The presbytery consisted 
of Revs. N. L. Clark and L. P. Murrell. He has been pastor 
of a number of churches and is now engaged in the duties of . 
his calling. 



5 o8 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Thomas Andrew rioore was born at Summerneld, Ala., 
December 25, 1845. He received his collegiate education in 
Howard College, Alabama, and in Mississippi College, re- 
ceiving the degree of B. S. from the latter. Completing his 
college course he entered the Southern Baptist Theological 
Seminary, Louisville, Ky., and spent two sessions there, from 
the fall of 1883 until the spring of 1885. He was ordained to 
the full work of the ministry by the church at Kosciusko, 
Miss., November 2, 1879. Very soon after his ordination, or 
about that time, he was married to Miss Ruth Webb, of Kos- 
ciusko. He was president of Meridian Female College from 
the fall of 1881 to the summer of 1883. He was moderator 
of Rio Grande Association, Texas, from July, 1887, to July, 
1889. He was pastor of Samaria and Yockanookany churches, 
Attala county, Miss., from November 1, 1879, till Novem- 
ber 1, 1881. He was pastor of Lauderdale church, Lauder- 
dale county, Miss., and Marion, Miss., from October 1, 1882, 
till October 1, 1883. He was pastor at Simpsonville, Ky., 
January 1 till June 1, 1884, and was assistant pastor of Wal- 
nut Street church, Louisville, Ky., from June 1, 1884, till June 
1, 1885. He was pastor at Galveston, Texas, from June 5, 
1885, till February 1, 1887; at Laredo, Texas, from March 1, 
1887, till April 1, 1889; at Uvalde and Del Rio, Texas, from 
April 2 till November 1, 1889. He was pastor in San An- 
tonio, Texas, in 1890; at Laredo, Texas, again in ,1891; in 
1892 at Whitesville, Texas; in 1893 and 1894 at Lancaster, 
Texas, and is now there. Mr. Moore is quite a talented and 
cultured preacher and a complete master of sacred song, which 
greatly aids his ministerial work. His voice, though not pos- 
sessing a large volume, is pleasing and melodious. He is 
often requested to manage the song service at large denomi- 
national gatherings. 

Thomas J. Moore was born in Leake county, Miss., May 8, 

1S55. His father, Samuel Moore, died when he was six years 
old. He was among the leading farmers of this county, but 
his property being mostly in slaves, was swept away by the 
war; therefore, young Moore's mother was left with himself 
and several other children to provide for and educate as best 
she could, with neither means nor experience in business. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 509 

Being thoroughly impressed with the importance of education, 
she lost no opportunity to send them to such schools as were 
kept in the community, which were usually taught by very 
poor teachers. By this means he got about such a start 
towards an education as is usually gotten in a neighborhood 
country school. His mother died when he was about grown. 
Shortly after that he attended a high school several months 
and became competent to teach district free schools, which 
he did for one or two years. Then for several years he was 
variously employed, two years of which he spent in the print- 
ing office of his county paper, having bought a half interest 
in the paper. He was converted at about the age of fourteen 
years, but did not join a church until some eight years after- 
wards. During a meeting held by Revs. D. I. and John Pur- 
ser at Carthage, he joined the Carthage Baptist church and 
was baptized in Pearl river by T. E. Morris, who was then 
pastor of that church. 

On August 14, 1884, he was married to Miss Belle Mills, 
daughter of Geo. W. Mills, near Conway, in the northern part 
of Leake county. He then bought a farm in that vicinity and 
settled there. His wife being a member there, and it being 
more convenient, he joined the Center Hill Baptist church at 
Conway. From that time he began to give more attention to 
his Christian duty and personal piety than ever before. About 
the first of May, 1888, he was so forcibly impressed to preach 
the gospel, that at the first opportunity he made known his 
feelings to the church, and on Saturday before the second 
Sunday in that month he was given license to exercise in pub- 
lic. While he knew but little Scripture, he felt a burning de- 
sire to warn men of the destruction awaiting the impenitent, 
and to point them to Christ for salvation. He says: "With 
all my blunderings somehow the people would listen and 
seem to be moved by my talks." By June of the following 
year some churches had called him to serve them, and on one 
day of that month, 1889, was regularly ordained by his church 
to the ministry, Rev. W. P. Dorrill preaching the ordination 
sermon. He was making a success at farming — an occupa- 
tion loved above all others by himself and wife — but as his 
services began to come more in demand he felt the 
necessity more forcibly of giving his whole time to study, 



5IO MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

prayer and preaching the word. Till this time he was making 
a full hand in the field and only studied at night and at odd 
times. As his ministerial labors increased he gradually cut 
loose from the farm, until finally he rented it out, bought him 
a house and lot in Carthage and moved there, it being more 
convenient to his work and affording better opportunities for 
his family. This is the third year that he has been there. 
While the compensation he receives is not sufficient for his 
support, he believes that by close application and a firm trust 
in the Lord, the time will come that he shall be a "laborer 
worthy of his hire" and will receive a support. During the 
five years that he has been preaching his administration has 
been fairly blessed. There have been some two hundred ac- 
cesions to his churches, over half of whom he baptized. Such 
is a brief sketch of his life up to date of this writing, which is 
May 1, 1894. He says: "I have made but little history as 
yet; but, God being my helper, I intend if I live twenty years 
longer, to work for my Master in such a way that a record 
thereof will make more interesting reading than the foregoing." 
•'The foregoing" is made from data furnished by this conse- 
crated minister of J?sus. We expect good things of him in 
the future. 

G. W. Moorehead. The following resolutions were adopted 
by the Baptist church at Spring Creek, Calhoun county, Miss., 
June 25, 1893: Whereas, Rev. G. W. Moorehead, who died 
at his home near Banner, Calhoun county, Miss., May 1, 1893, 
was a member of our church and a regularly ordained minister 
of the gospel : and whereas, he was held in very high esteem 
on account of his admirable disposition, his exalted Christian 
character, his intellectual strength and his ability as a Chris- 
tian minister; therefore be it Resolved, (1) That we deeply 
deplore the loss of our brother who was so ready for every 
good word and work; who did not neglect the services of 
the sanctuary; who honored the Lord with his substance; 
who was ambitious to do all he could for the Lord, who had 
done so much for him. (2) That we heartily commend his 
life as an example of noble Christian manhood, and worthy of 
the emulation of all who would serve their day and generation 
by the will of God. (3) That we extend to the bereaved 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 51 1 

family and friends our sympathy in this great affliction. (4) 
That we order this report put upon our church record, that 
we furnish a copy to the family of the deceased, and authorize 
its publication in "The Baptist Record." J. T. Wilson, John 
Baker, H. W. McGuire, Committee. 

Rev. J. H. Morris died at his home in Lowndes county, 
Miss., February 3, 1891, aged twenty-nine years. He attached 
himself to the Baptist church at Border Springs, about the 
year 1881. Shortly after joining, he became impressed to 
preach the gospel, and immediately began to prepare for his 
life work. At one time he w T as a student of Mississippi Col- 
lege. After his return from college his prospects were bright 
for future usefulness, but disease was lurking in his system, 
and only for a few short years was he permitted to labor in 
the cause, for Avhich he was so well fitted. When he became 
unable to preach, his friends procured for him a place as 
teacher in our public school, which position he ably filled and 
endeared himself to all the patrons. One among his last acts 
in life was to take up a collection from the church for the en- 
dowment of Mississippi College. He was well aware of his 
approaching dissolution. Such patience and resignation, on 
a death bed, as he manifested, was wonderful to behold. Af- 
ter eighteen hours of suffering, he passed away. While we 
bow submissively to the will of Providence, we can but lament 
the loss of our brother, who was just entering upon the prime 
of a noble manhood. Snatched away so suddenly from an 
almost idolizing wife and mother and from the affectionate de- 
votion of brothers and sisters, all we can do in our grief is to 
stand still and wait till the clouds of affliction drift by. There 
is comfort in the thought that our brother is not lost, but sim- 
ply gone in advance of us to the sweet realm of light and love, 
where we shall again meet him never more to feel the pang 
of parting. All that medical skill, all that family and friends 
could do, never tiring in tender ministrations of love, was un- 
availing to save him from the dark archer's shaft. The Master 
called, and we could no longer keep him. Had he lived, his 
career would no doubt have justified the fondest expectations 
of his many friends. But alas! Before his plans and pur- 
poses bad fairly taken shape, he was called away from them. 



5 i2 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

But his life was not a failure, for he left his work on earth, to 

enter upon sweet and never ending rest.— A Friend. 

Thomas Erwin Morris was born in Pike county, Miss., 
January 10, 1831. In early life he moved to Holmes county 
Miss where he grew to manhood. In boyhood he attended 
the country schools and labored on the farm. At the age of 
twenty-three years he went to Clarksville, Tenn., and attended 
school at the Masonic College for one year. He taught 
school at Thomasville, Tenn., in 1855. He graduated ma 
medical college in 1857. He married in Madison, Miss., in 
in 1885 He was converted and joined Doake's Creek Baptist 
church in 1859, and was baptized by Rev. Daniel Giddings. 
He moved to Drew county, Ark., in 1860 and engaged in 
the practice of medicine. He joined the Confederate army in 
1862 and was in General Price's division at the surrender. 
He was licensed to preach in Drew county, Ark., in 1865; and 
was called to ordination by Gilgal church at Collins, Drew 
county \rk., and was set apart to the full work of the minis- 
try by this church, September 29, 1867, the ordaining presby- 
tery consisting of Revs. Iverton, R. Smith and Iradell R. Vick. 
He moved to Good Hope, Leake county, Miss., in March, 
1868, and united with Good Hope Baptist church. In No- 
vember. 1868. he was called to the pastorate of Good Hope 
church, and has been pastor of this church since that time. 

He has been pastor of a number of other country 
churches, but the major part of his labors in the ministry has 
been confined to the bounds of Harmony Association. 

L. P. Murrell. We are greatly grieved to learn of the death 
of our friend and brother in the ministry, Rev. L. P. Murrell, 
of Scott countv. He was probably the oldest Baptist preacher 
in Mississippi,' and doubtless has to his credit on high as large 
a balance of good done in the gospel ministry as any of his 
compeers. He was associated with such men as Clarke, Thig- 
pen Butler, Johnston, Freeman and others, who survive him, 
and whose praise is in all the churches. Brother Murrell 
leaves a sorrowing family, a good name and a noble record. 
The following resolutions, clipped from "The Mississippi Bap- 
tist," were passed bv the Executive Board of the General Asso- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 513 

ciation, at its recent meeting at Antioch, Miss., and is the tes- 
timony of those who knew him best: 

WEereas, In the dispensation of God's providence, we 
have been called upon to mourn the loss of our highly es- 
teemed and useful brother, Rev. Lee P. Murrell, a consistent 
Baptist, an able minister, a faithful worker in the Mt. Pisgah 
and General Associations, and, at the time of his death, a faith- 
ful member of this Board; therefore, be it Resolved, (1) That 
in the death of this good man we have sustained a great loss 
in our labors in the cause of Christ, his church a faithful pastor, 
and his family a devoted husband and father. (2) That while 
we feel and mourn the loss of our brother, it becomes us to 
bow with resignation to the will of God, feeling assured that 
our loss is his eternal gain. (3) That we deeply sympathize 
with his bereaved family, Sister Murrell and her children, as 
also the church of which he was a member, and of which he 
had been pastor for about forty-five years. 

Berry Nail, spoken of by Mr. Pittman as Barry Nail, in 
that portion of his sketch quoted from himself, was indeed a 
pioneer preacher in the Yazoo Association. When he came 
to Mississippi, in 1838, Mr. Nail was the only Baptist preacher 
in Holmes county. There is no material extant regarding his 
life except the following few sentences from Rev. T. S. Wright : 
"Brother Berry Nail was preaching when I came to the coun- 
try. He was pastor of old Ebenezer church when I first 
formed his acquaintance. He was also pastor of Pleasant 
Ridsre, Emory, Old County Line and Bowling Green 
churches. He was a very sweet, pleasant preacher, and 
though not very profound, yet he had great influence with the 
people and did much good in the Master's vineyard." It 
seems that almost the whole of his ministrv was in Holmes 
and sections of other counties bordering Holmes county. He 
owned a country residence in that county, where he lived and 
where he died many years ago. 

William Whitfield Nash was born in Abbeville district, 
South Carolina, in 1801 , and when a youth removed with his 
father to Lowndes countv, Miss., where he completed a good 
education »in English. In 1826 he married Miss Nancy 



514 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Wright Dotson, of Pickens county, Alabama, whither he sub- 
sequently removed. He engaged in farming, but soon after 
his marriage he became a Christian, and a minister of the gos- 
pel—a missionary Baptist — and continued through life to 
farm and preach, first in Alabama and afterwards in Mississippi 
and Texas. In the fall of 1847 he purchased a farm three 
miles from Kosciusko, in Attala county, Mississippi, and 
moved to it and resided there until the close of the year 1865, 
when he moved to Robertson county, Texas, where he died 
in the year 1871. The years of his residence in Attala county 
were full of activity and usefulness in his ministerial character. 
He preached constantly on Sundays and often on w T eek days, 
and conducted many protracted meetings at different places, 
neglecting his farm which was left to a large extent to his ne- 
gro slaves, in his absence. His labors as a minister were 
crowned with great success. He founded numerous churches 
and was an instrument in bringing many members into them. 
As a preacher he was earnest, sensible, Biblical and effect- 
ive in arresting attention and arousing interest and inquiry. 
His residence was on a much traveled public highway, and his 
hospitable home was the well known stopping place of travel- 
ing clergymen and laymen on ecclesiastical missions. He 
bore heavy burdens on this account. His wife was a faithful 
coadjutor in all his Christian endeavors. His home was a 
very happy one, blessed with six daughters and three sons, 
who grew to maturity and did honor to their parents. Two 
of his sons were killed in the Confederate armies; the third, 
who was also a soldier, survived the war and lives now in 
Texas. The eldest daughter married Mr. Williams, a planter, 
who represented Pickens county, Ala., in the legislature. The 
second daughter now lives in Jackson, Miss., and is the excel- 
lent wife of Judge J. A. P. Campbell (this added by L. S. F.), 
who has filled various public places in Mississippi with honor 
and distinction, and but recently retired from the chief jus- 
ticeship of the Supreme Court of Mississippi, in which court 
he served eighteen years, and who at one time was employed 
by the legislature of Mississippi to prepare for that body a 
code of laws to be passed for the State. Another daughter is 
the wife of Hon. C. H. Campbell, who is circuit judge of the 
Fifth Judicial District of Mississippi, and has been for the past 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 51 5 

fourteen years. The other daughters married respectably and 
live in Texas, except one deceased. 

Mr. Nash received little pecuniary compensation for his 
faithful services as a missionary, maintaining himself and fam- 
ily, and dispensing generous hospitality with the products of 
his farm cultivated by his negro slaves. He organized, the 
church in Kosciusko and was for many years its faithful pas- 
tor, receiving little pay as such. His wife survived him but 
a short time. Our appreciation of Judge Campbell and his 
excellent wife, the daughter of Mr. Nash, is responsible for 
the coloring in one sentence of the above sketch, which the 
Judge kindly furnished. 

James Nelson, the former indefatigable representative of 
ministerial education in Mississippi, and general agent of the 
Board of Ministerial Education, was born in Mississippi in 
1841 ; and was educated at Centre College, Danville, Ky. His 
great work in our State was in connection with the education 
of young ministers, into which work he entered with an ardor 
and enthusiasm and energy which was extraordinary. In this 
work his zeal knew no bounds, and he traveled continuously 
over Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, hunting up young 
ministers who needed education and were unable to procure 
it, and then raising the money to help them after getting them 
in college. By this work of his a number of young ministers 
were helped as well as stimulated to strive for higher educa- 
tional attainments. Because of his zealous labor in this direc- 
tion his name will be long and affectionately cherished. Some 
of the young ministers thus educated have proved to be the 
most efficient that have ever left Mississippi College. And 
in connection with these labors he conducted many revival 
meetings. One of these he held in Okolona. The church 
had no pastor; the members were careless ; the church house 
was out of repair. Mr. Nelson got a saw, hammer and nail<=, 
and with his own hands did the small amount of work needed ; 
visited all the members ; had a refreshing meeting ; and had 
the church to begin at once a correspondence which led to 
the settlement of Rev. W. A. Mason there as the pastor. 
I'! We first met Mr. Nelson at the Columbus Association in 
* the city of Columbus 3 in September, 1870. In a few weeks 



516 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

after our separation he wrote an earnest letter, the keynote of 
which was: "Dear brother, go out into the work. Swing 
loose upon the gospel. God will take care of you." These 
earnest words were bumed into memory and remain there 
as vividly to-day as when James Nelson wrote them. He died 
in Clinton, Miss., January 21, 1876, from an attack of swamp 
fever which he had contracted on one of his numerous trips 
into the Mississippi valley, greatly honored and lamented. 
In the minutes of the State Convention of 1876 we read: 
James Nelson "was a native of Mississippi, having been born 
in the town of Grenada, January 16, 1841, being at the time of 
his death thirty-five years and five days old. He was an ex- 
cellent preacher, having been successful in winning souls to 
Christ. A good man and a high-toned Christian gentleman, 
it may be truthfully said of him, as was of old, 'He walked with 
God, and was not, for God took him.' At the time of his 
death he occupied the high and responsible position of Corre- 
sponding Secretary of the Board of Ministerial Education of 
Mississippi College, which position he held to the entire satis- 
faction of the Board for five years prior to his death. His 
life, though short, was an eventful one, for much and abundant 
labor was crowded in the brief years of his active service and 
exertion. He preached much, he traveled much, he worked 
much, and the beauty of the whole, he prayed much for the 
prosperity of the Zion he loved so much. His place in the 
Baptist denomination of Mississippi will be hard to fill, if in- 
deed, it can ever be filled at all. The Baptists of Mississippi, 
and also the Baptists of Louisiana and Arkansas, feel his loss, 
and deeply feel it. The Board of Ministerial Education, and 
of the Trustees of Mississippi College, the young men whom 
he has aided, and was aiding up to his death, feel his loss. 
Yea, we all feel it, but more deeply is it felt by his bereaved 
family, to whom we extend our heart-felt sympathy, praying 
that God, who has promised to be a husband to the widow 
and a father to the fatherless, may ever console and comfort 
them amidst the cares and trials of life. We feel that our mu- 
tual loss is his grain. He left the church militant for the church 
triumphant. He has gone from the land of the dying to the 
land of the living. He has left the toil of battle for the victor's 
country where the clock strikes one, and the pendulum vi- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 517 

brates ever always, ever always, and the clock strikes no 
more. May we all meet him there. — J. R. Farish." 

Vernon Hicks Nelson, the esteemed, genial and popular 
president of the Carrollton Female College, Carrollton, Miss., 
was reared in Holmes county, Miss., and grew to manhood in 
that county. His early training and all the influences of his 
early life were in the direction of Methodism. It is not sur- 
prising, therefore, that in his early life he became a member 
of that organization. Later he became a Methodist preacher 
and a member of conference and was a regular and full worker 
in that zealous body of men. He was in charge of the Clinton 
circuit, when he began to seriously question the correctness 
of the peculiar views of his denomination. His doubts filled 
him with sadness, for if they should lead him on in the direc- 
tion which they then clearly pointed, it would fill him with the 
grief of breaking up all of his old ties and old associations, and 
church affiliation. The more he thought of them the more 
they persisted in remaining, and the more vigorously they 
challenged an honest investigation. This was late in the sev- 
enties or early in the eighties. Rev. H. D. White then lived 
in Clinton, and was the guide and counsellor of Mr. Nelson, 
never, however, in the least degree seeking to influence him 
to discard his Methodist tenets and accept Baptist principles. 
Mr. Nelson thoroughly investigated all the issues involved, 
going to the bottom of things and making the Bible the "man 
of his counsel." As in every case where the Bible is honestly 
studied and all preconceived ideas laid aside, he slowly, but 
surely, accepted Baptist principles, resigned his pastorate, 
withdrew from conference and united with a Baptist church, 
having absolutely nothing in view as a means of support for 
his family. He was soon ordained as a Baptist preacher and, 
through the influence and help of friends, was, before a great 
while, in a modest little pastorate, which greatly helped in 
family matters. A year or two later we find him, after having 
studied in Mississippi College for a time, located in Kosciusko, 
Attala county. His throat had failed and he and John H. 
Anderson were editors and publishers of the "Kosciusko 
Star," which had taken, under their management, a very de- 
cided, and, as many of their friends thought, a very injudicious 



518 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

stand against the whisky traffic and in favor of prohibition. 
No whisky advertisements were allowed in the paper, and noth- 
ing was advocated or encouraged that had any sort of connec- 
tion with the whisky interests. It is proper to state that Mrs. 
Nelson did not for several years change her views from 
Methodism and become a Baptist, though she did finally 
change. Mr. Nelson's throat improved by rest, and his min- 
isterial services were soon in demand among the surrounding 
churches. He at length becume pastor of the important 
church at Kosciusko, in which pastorate he was successful. Be- 
ing of a positive nature, he made some enemies as well as 
many strong friends. Later he became missionary of the 
State Convention Board in the famous Yazoo and Mississippi 
Delta country, residing still in Kosciusko for a time. Find- 
ing himself too inconvenient to his work, he at length moved 
his family to Sidon, where he lived several years and preached 
to churches in the Delta. After a while, in 1889, he moved 
to Carrollton, but continued his work in the valley with un- 
abated enthusiasm and zeal. Mr. Nelson may almost be 
said to be an apostle to the Delta, so earnestly and enthusi- 
astically does he engage in his work there. He has been em- 
inently successful, too, in his labors in that rich and fertile sec- 
tion of our State, which seems destined to be its garden-spot. 
Dr. Z. T. Leavell resigning the presidency of Carrollton 
Female College in the summer of 1894, the trustees, after ma- 
ture consideration elected Dr. Nelson to fill the position. He 
has this work well in hand and throws into it all the energy 
and enthusiasm of his ardent nature. He still preaches for 
some of his beloved churches in the Delta, which are easily 
accessible by railway. No one loves Dr. Nelson more truly 
than the writer. 

J. n. Nicholson, a very highly esteemed minister in South 
Mississippi, now (Nov., 1894) resides at Binnville, Miss. He 
was ordained to the full work of the ministry at old Wahalak 
church in December, 1858, the presbytery consisting of Revs. 
Lee Compere, E. L. Compere and F. M. Logue. He has had 
the pastoral care of a number of churches in his section of 
the State, is held in very high esteem and his labors have been 
greatly blessed. 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 519 

M. V. Noffsinger was 

born in Botetourt county, 
Va., March 5, 1838; pro- 
fessed faith in Christ at 
the age of sixteen and was 
baptized by Rev. L. P. 
Fellers, into the fellow- 
ship of the Zion's Hill 
church. At the age of 
twenty he was licensed to 
preach. For three or four 
years he taught school and 
preached as opportunity 
afforded. He received his 
collegiate education at 
Union University, Mur- 
freesboro, Tenn., and his 
theological training under 
Dr. J. M, Pendleton at 
the same time, 1859, i860 
REV. M. V. NOFFSINGER. and 1861. In 1862 he was 

elected Principal of the Academy in Marion, Southwest Va., 
and at the same time supplied the pulpit in that place, and 
that of three country churches. In August of that year, 
while on a visit to his home, and by request of the Marion 
church, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, 
twelve ministers constituting the presbytery. In December, 
1864, at the age of twenty-seven he married Miss E. V. Hend- 
ricks of Lebanon, Russell county, Va., after which he taught 
school in the Academy in that town until spring of 1866, at which 
time he gave up the school room entirely, and moving to Jones- 
boro, East Tenn., gave himself wholly to the work of the 
ministry, occupying the church there half the time, and two 
other churches the other half. During this pastorate of four 
years a debt of one thousand dollars was paid off the church in 
Jonesboro, the building put in good repair, and one hundred per- 
sons added to the membership. New churches were organized 
at Johnson City, at Enon, and at Bomantown. 



520 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

" ; - A'call came from Morristown, Term., where the Baptists 
had no house but were holding their services in the Methodist 
church once per month. Accepting this call he moved there and 
with the brethren resolved to build a house for the Lord. At 
the end of three years there was dedicated to God a handsome 
brick edifice at a cost of ten thousand dollars. Dr. J. R. Graves 
preached the dedication sermon. This pastorate continued 
four years, and a hundred persons or more were added to 
the membership. During this time a new church was organ- 
ized in Greenville, and a new house built. There was only 
one Baptist family in the place to begin with. Andrew 
Johnson (ex-president then) lived there and made a good con- 
tribution, on dedication day, to the new church. A new 
church was built at Macedonia also. And the church at Big 
Creek (remodelled). In January, 1873, ne was elected financial 
agent of Union University to raise an endowment for that in- 
stitution. This work was accepted and hence he moved to 
Murfreesboro, and entered upon the difficult duties of an 
agent. This work was making good progress; by the fall of 
this year twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) was raised, 
but an epidemic of cholera swept over the country, and the Uni- 
versity suspended its exercises, which necessitated the agency 
work suspending also. In November of this year a call came 
from two churches in Mississippi — Macon and Deer Brook — 
and on the 1st of January, 1874, he and family arrived in 
Macon, and a pastorate of seven happy and successful years 
followed. No churches to build, none to repair; no debts to pay 
off. The brethren built a parsonage. It was to him a jubilee 
term. After two years of this pastorate the Deer Brook chuurch 
dropped one Sabbath and the Brookville church took that Sab- 
bath and this church at the end of five years was able to sus- 
tain a pastor half the time. Then there came a call from Ab- 
erdeen for one Sunday per month the first year. The Lord 
graciously revived his work; in a single protracted meeting 
fifty-one members were added to the church. The second and 
third years the church sustained three Sundays and the State 
Board paid for the other; a parsonage was bought also, and 
hence there was preaching all the time. At the end of these 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. J2I 

three difficult years the church was left self-sustaining. Next 
came a call from West Point for half the time; and from 
Brooksville for the other half. This continued three years; 
then West Point asked for all the time. Of this field he says: 
"At the first the membership numbered one hundred and fif- 
teen and they were worshiping in a rickety frame building up 
on one side of the town. We resolved to build a good house 
for the Lord, and as we were not able to build a good house 
right away, we resolved to take five years. At the end of 
this time we were putting on the finishing touches of a splendid 
brick edifice, located in the center of the town, and were mak- 
ing arrangements for dedication; when, on the night of the 
12th of October, 1887, the alarm of fire was given! Many hur- 
rying feet came to the spot only to find the church enveloped 
in flames! Six thousand dollars went to ashes in an hour! 
The toil and sacrifices of these years went up to God in an 
offering of smoke ! And there was not a dollar of insurance. 
Our ladies who had been so faithful in this enterprise, wept all 
that night as if they had lost their mother. But God was with 
us. He put a wonderful spirit of giving into the hearts of the 
people. The membership now numbered two hundred and 
twenty-five, double what it was at first; and with the training 
of five years of systematic giving it was like the charge of a 
well drilled army against the foe. In a few days we had raised 
in cash subscriptions more money than before! We com- 
menced at the foundation and in one year built a finer house, 
and dedicated it free of debt. An invitation was extended to 
all the former pastors to come and participate in the dedica- 
tory services. Of these Rev. H. J. Vanlandingham offered 
the opening prayer, Dr. J. W. Bozeman preached the sermon, 
Dr. J. B. Gambrell delivered a characteristic speech and raised 
in cash and pledges eighteen hundred dollars — more than 
enough to pay off all indebtedness. The closing prayer was 
offered by the present pastor. 

It was wonderful to us how the Lord turned this apparent 
calamity into blessings. We got a finer house, more ground 
was added to the lot, brotherly love was increased, great devel- 
opment of the milk of human kindness in the people generally, 
encouragement to a score of other churches who needed a new 
house but feared they were not able, but they said, 'well if West 



522 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Point can build two houses surely we can build one/ and hence 
went to work." 

At the end of eleven years and three months this pastorate 
ended, leaving a membership of three hundred and twenty-five 
and in good working order. It was with great difficulty that 
pastor and church severed the ties. During these pastorates 
at Macon, Aberdeen and West Point he has held revival meet- 
ings with nearly every church within ten miles of the Mobile 
and Ohio railway from Corinth to Meridian, resulting in many 
additions to those churches. For several years he was a mem- 
ber of the State Convention Board and also a trustee of Mis- 
sissippi College. The next call was from the church at Car- 
rollton for half of his time, the other half being called for by 
the Duck Hill and French Camp churches. He says: "Find- 
ing an old dilapidated house at Carrollton, we resolved to build 
a new brick house, and take two years time for it." At this 
writing (November, 1894), there are nearly four thousand dol- 
lars raised for that purpose, the building is let to contract, and 
the walls of the new building are up. Twenty-four persons 
have also been added to the membership of the church, and 
things seem to have a bright outlook. Later (December, 
1894), it is to be stated that the excellent brick building at Car- 
rollton is now completed except the inside finishing and fur- 
nishing. 

E. W. Norris. Of this minister, Rev. W. W. Head writes 
in 1884: "I knew but little of Brother Norris and can only 
say he lived in Choctaw county and was pastor of a church 
there where he held a meeting of days every year just at the 
time of the meeting of the association, by which he was often 
prevented from attending. It was a wonder to some of us 
where he found so many to be converted year after year in the 
same neighborhood. He must have had considerable power as 
a preacher to have continued so long with such results. It was 
my privilege to hear him only once, as I now remember, and 
at the association. He set out in his sermon on that occasion 
with extraordinary ability; but while many, at least, were 
deeply interested, expecting much more to be said he suddenly 
closed. Something was said afterwards about a motion that 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. $23 

he be requested to complete that sermon. Brother Norris 
was much respected; most where best known. 

Joshua Norvell was born in Wayne county, Miss., March 
16, 1862. While quite a small boy his parents moved to Choc- 
taw county, Ala., and soon after reaching the new home the 
father died. The mother remained in Alabama about two 
years, . and, becoming dissatisfied she returned to Wayne 
county, Miss. And shortly after her return she too sickened 
and died, leaving Joshua and three little brothers in a destitute 
condition. Left to the mercy of the world, he and his young- 
est brother found a home with an uncle, while the other two 
found a home with a cousin. His uncle was so poor that he 
was obliged to tell Joshua to hunt a new home, while he would 
try to keep the youngest brother still. The lad set out on the 
search and says that no tongue can express the heart-broken 
condition of a poor orphan. While along the lonely road upon 
this search, his heart smitten with grief at separation from his 
brothers, he felt that it would be a relief to him to meet the 
death angel. He went to the house of a relative, was wel- 
comed and treated kindly, but, being a poor man, he could 
only keep him for a very short time, two or three months. He 
then had to start out on the search again, and, after four or 
five days rambling, he found a home with M. F. Busley, a very 
wicked man, a Universalist in sentiment, yet he always gave 
the lad good counsel. With this man he remained six or seven 
years and during this time he had a short access to the pub- 
lic school of the neighborhood, but did not obtain a common 
school education. This was about the fall of 1881, and he re- 
solved to marry. He was married to Miss Martha J. Over- 
street, a Christian young lady who had been baptized by Rev. 
O. D. Bowen, and was a member of Beulah church which Mr. 
Bowen had constituted. Young Norvell was very wicked at 
this time, walking in the paths of vice and iniquity, 
yet impressions had been made upon his mind that 
he ought to walk a different life. These impressions 
were resisted, but in the spring of 1887 his condition was in- 
expressibly sad. He felt that he would soon have to stand be- 
fore God's judgment bar and possibly hear the awful sentence, 
"Depart, ye worker of iniquity." He tried to leave off sin- 



524 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ning and keep the commandments, which he found to be im- 
possible, for he was too weak to do this. He was then driven 
to Christ, trusted in him and found peace in believing in Christ, 
and the burden of sin was removed. In September, 1887, he 
united with Beulah Missionary Baptist church. Soon after- 
wards he felt "an impression on his mind to preach the gospel. 
He thrust off this impression three or four years. During 
this time he ate no sweet bread at all, it was all bitter. He was 
disregarding duty. He began to exercise and had peace of 
mind. The church liberated him and six or seven months 
later called for his ordination. He was called to supply one 
church. In the following fall he was recalled to Hollis Creek 
church and three others which he faithfully supplied. He was 
called to their service still another year. About this time he 
espoused open communion views and says he was greatly 
persecuted and rebuked, which drove him further from the 
Missionary Baptist position. There were no ordained minis- 
ters there feeling as he did, but hearing of some in Alabama, he 
went there to unite with them. In Alabama he found Rev. 
William Powe, who gave him a full description of the Free 
Will Baptist people. They had organized with excluded mem- 
bers from other denominations, and some "who had departed 
from the faith of the ancient saints, men and women of good 
standing." With these Mr. Powe had united, and preached 
their doctrines for a time, "but soon saw the error of his way 
and went back home to the Missionary Baptist." Mr. Nor- 
vell says that "through the blessing of God upon his people in 
a portion of Mississippi I was never ordained a Free Will 
preacher/' presumably those who protested against nis step 
in that direction. Still he says that on his return home he had 
the deepest and sincerest convictions of the propriety of open 
communion in his mind." He began to re-investigate the mat- 
ter from the Book and strict communion views steadily gained. 
A letter from Rev. O. D. Bowen, of Ellisville, greatly strength- 
ened him in the doctrine of the Bible, by his brotherly and 
kind address. He realized in this letter almost a fatherly love. 
Out of regard for these strong reasons and fraternal advice, 
and for the good of the Baptist churches, he returned to his 
church, stood his trial for denial of the faith, and was restored 
to full fellowship in the church. It seemed that every one 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 525 

could rejoice in his return to his denomination. Since that 
time his church has been prosperous, and has been blessed with 
revivals. His work at present is Sand Hill, Green county, 
Miss., Beaver Dam, Perry county, County Line; Shady Grove, 
Wayne county, he says : "I can and do say with safety that we 
have the polity of the true churches of Jesus Christ: and I send 
this greeting to my brethren in the ministry." 

James Henry Oswald was born in Monroe county, Ala- 
bama, October 27, 1825. He removed with his parents to 
Tuscaloosa county, Ala., when two years old, and settled 
twenty miles east of Tuscaloosa, a city on the Warrior river at 
the head of navigation and capitol of the State at that time. 
His father joined a Baptist church in Monroe county about 
the time of the birth of our subject, by letter and was made a 
deacon. It was at this church that James began going to 
service, riding behind his father until he could ride a horse 
alone. His father was there regularly once a month on Satur- 
day and Sunday. A colony from the church was constituted 
into Cedar Grove church. Here the lad first felt the moving 
of the Holy Spirit, about 1835; he felt himself a sinner, and 
passed on a year or two going occasionally to the anxious seat. 
He attended a meeting at Mount Moriah, his father's church, 
August, 1837; there was a great revival, many souls were con- 
verted, among the number young Oswald. He rejoiced on 
account of God's love in his heart, united with Cedar Grove 
Baptist church, and was baptized, with forty others, on the 
second Sunday in October, 1837, by Rev. John Sansing, one of 
these afterwards becoming Mr. Oswald's first wife, another be- 
coming a useful Baptist preacher, was a member of Coldwater 
Association, is now deceased. 

He was married to Miss Tempy Venetta Dunstan January 
10, 1842. He raised a family of ten children, four sons and 
six daughters, all of whom in early life professed faith in Jesus, 
and joined Baptist churches, lived consistent lives, three died 
in the Christian faith, one of the youngest boys since becoming 
grown has wandered off somewhat, the rest are all living de- 
voted, humble Christians. After his first marriage he settled 
in Bibb county, Ala., and by letter joined Haysop Creek Bap- 
tist church. He was clerk of this church three years and then 



526 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

made deacon. He commenced family worship in early life, 
in his father's family in his absence, and has continued it in 
his own with some omissions thus far. While a member of 
this church, in 1849, he felt his first impressions of duty to 
preach the gospel. In 1851 his father and he moved to De- 
Soto county, Miss., and united with Hopewell church. His 
father, also a Baptist preacher, died October 23, 1852, and, in 
1853, he removed to Tippah county, Miss. There he joined 
Pleasant Ridge Baptist church, Rev. L. Ball being pastor. He 
remained there eight years righting his own feelings, working 
for life to make money; and did make it, but commenced 
Jonah's experience. He was there cast out of the ship of 
prosperity into the sea of adversity, not swallowed by a fish, 
but by afflictions and trials and difficulties on every hand. He 
removed thence to Baldwyn on the Mobile and Ohio railway, 
staying there about a year. In 1861 the war began and he re- 
moved southward into Chickasaw county. Here he united 
with Pleasant Grove church; went into the army; was finally 
captured, taken north to prison, and while there, thrown with 
the small pox and many other diseases in their midst, he rea- 
lized as much as any one could in this age the feeling of Ponah. 
There he came to himself, prayed to God to spare his life, let 
him get back home, and also to put his case in the hands of 
the church, for he did not feel that he could present himself as 
one seeking the ministry, and he would do the very best he 
could. He came home July, 18(34 ; he and other brethren began 
neighborhood prayer-meeting, and the Lord blessed their 
labor with several conversions. No one knew his vows, but in 
August or September the pastor presented him and another 
to the church for license to preach, and the church so acted. 
He returned to army service, but April, 1865, the surrender 
came, and he thinks he then felt like Jonah did when lie was 
thrown out on dry land, that is, that he must be obedient, al- 
though he had nothing but a helpless family. He began lab- 
oring spiritually and temporally doing the best he could, Hav- 
ing poor success in the gospel as he viewed it. In 1867 he 
moved to Water Valley; and out into Calhoun county in Jan- 
uary, 1868, he and his family joining the Turkey Creek church. 
There he was ordained to the full work of the ministry; assisted . 
in constituting a church and was called as pastor; assumed carei- : - - 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 527 

of another church, and both these churches grew from about 
twelve to about sixty members in three years. He aided in 
the constitution of a church in the Oxford Association called 
Providence. Here the Lord gave him a sheaf according to 
the pastor's statement. He preached once a month at Turkey 
Creek, occasionally at Spring Creek, Providence, Driver's 
Flatt, Macedonia, Hopewell and to other churches, besides 
school-house appointments. Here he lived five years, and the 
Lord blessed his labors on several occasions especially. In 
the summer of 1872, by solicitation of Rev. J. N. Acker, Mis- 
sionary of the Yalobusha Association, he traveled with him in 
the work about three weeks; preached at several points; held a 
protracted meeting at Mount Pisgah ; preached at Friendship ; 
went into "the bottom," held a meeting on Cassady's Bayou, 
and, with the aid of other ministers, constituted Enon church, 
which is still a flourishing church ; went down the Tallahatchie 
river and preached at Sycamore. He moved into the valley 
country, to Tallahatchie City, last of November, 1872. Liv- 
ing near Mr. Acker, they worked together. In 1873 they con- 
stituted Tippo church and Mr. Oswald was called to the pas- 
torate which he retained for over four years. The church in- 
creased from fourteen to forty in number. Here he baptized 
his youngest son, Lewis Judson, and prays the Lord to make 
him a useful man: yet. Resigning the care of the church he 
preached more or less every year, sometimes the entire year, 
up to his becoming too feeble for work. He feels that he has 
done but little in the ministry for some years past, and now is 
unable to do anything. In 1886 or 1887 his membership was 
at Ashland and he aided Rev. Joel D. Rice, the pastor. He 
held a meeting of days about that time at Bethel, Tallahatchie 
county, five days, in which the church was much revived. He 
baptized two in 1887. He has preached at school houses; 
aided in revival meetings; made speeches on Sunday-schools, 
missions, at prayer-meetings, on prohibition, etc. His father 
taught him temperance, and he has all his life used his influ- 
ence against whiskey. He was invited to the pastorate of his 
old church in the valley in 1892, and held a meeting in August 
resulting in reviving and building up the church very much, 
he continued pastor through 1893, and at the August meeting 
received thirteen members, four of them by baptism, the others 



528 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

by letter and restoration. He has now closed his work as 
pastor, with the first of 1894. He has married twenty-two 
couples in his county. His present home is Cascilla, Talla- 
hatchie county. Mr. Oswald is a missionary Baptist; loves 
and supports missions ; believes in election, giving God sover- 
eignty; in man's free moral agency; that baptism is immersion, 
representing our Lord's burial and resurrection, as also the 
saint's resurrection ; in the operation of the Holy Spirit in con- 
nection with the preaching of the word of God, in adopting 
the soul, sanctifying it, giving a holy disposition and setting 
a part and setting into Christ, all of which is accomplished in 
the new birth; he believes and teaches that the Holy Scriptures 
are the Word of God. and are to be taken as the man of our 
counsel in all things and is totally unable to see some myster- 
ies about some things which others fancy they see. He is a 
good man, but is now old and worn with infirmity, being in his 
seventieth year. 

Charles H. Otken, D.D., was born in Orleans parrish, La., 
February 20, 1839, and is of German parentage. His father 
was a skillful mechanic. In worldly goods he made plentv of 
money. In his native country he owned a fine property. The 
mother died when Charles was about six years old. She was 
a woman of more than ordinary culture. After her death he 
lived with his uncle at Carrollton, La. He attended the public 
schools of that town for several years; also attended a public 
school north of Carrollton, known as the Coast School. He 
was sent to two private schools where he studied French and 
German. When about twelve years old he was offered a posi- 
tion as clerk in a general merchandise store in Carrollton. He 
remained in this store for five vears. Shortly after this period 
he became acquainted with Baptists. He accepted Christ as 
his onlv hope and was baptized into the fellowship of the Coli- 
seum Place Baptist church of New Orleans. He, from long 
continued impressions, believed it was his duty to nreach the 
<rosnel and his church thoueht so too. He longed for an edu- 
cation. Hp came to Mississinni in 1857 having in view the 
gr>snel ministry, having" been licensed bv his church. He r°- 
mained at college about three and a half vears. During vaca- 
tion lie taught school at Bolton, Miss.; he also taught at Ed- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 529 

wards, Miss. In 1861 he joined the Raymon Rifles, under 
Capt. Charlton, at Grenada, Miss. This was just after the 
battle of Shiloh. After serving as private for some time he be- 
came chaplain of the Forty-fifth Mississippi Regiment. He 
remained with the Confederate wounded, Wood's Brigade, at 
Murfreesboro, Tenn., eight weeks after the retreat of our army 
to Shelbyville. In 1864 he was ordained to the full work of 
the ministry in the Saint Francis Street Baptist church, Mobile, 
Ala. At the close of the war he came to South Mississippi at 
the suggestion of Rev. J. B. Hamberlin. He taught school 
and became pastor of Liberty Baptist church at Liberty, the 
county seat of Amite county ; also of Mount Vernon church in 
the same county. In 1866, he married the eldest daughter of 
James E. and Frances Lea, of Amite county. To them were 
born ten children. Three are dead. Two died in infancy, and 
Katie Henrietta died in her twenty-second year in 1892. The 
oldest daughter, Mary Frances, is the wife of Rev. B. F. Lewis. 
In 1867 he was elected Principal of the Peabody Public School 
of Summit, Pike county, Miss. This school grew in three 
years from twenty-seven to three hundred and forty-seven pu- 
pils. At this time, it was one of the largest public schools in 
South Mississippi. Rev. Dr. Barnes Sears having visited 
Summit, a sum of one thousand dollars was given this school 
annually for about six years. A pay high school of some fifty 
pupils was an organic part of the institution. Mr. Otken 
served nine years as Principal. Besides a large number of 
superior ladies as teachers, he was associated during this period 
with such men as members of the faculty as Mr. Charles L. 
Patton, Prof. J. B. Winer, at present the efficient superintend- 
ent of Public Education of the city of Austin, Texas, Pro^. 
James M. Sharpe, now of Mississippi College, and Prof. J. C. 
Graham, pastor of the Presbyterian church. During this per- 
iod he was pastor of the Summit Baptist church, in which rela- 
tion he served about seven years. It had a comparativelv 
small membership when he became pastor, succeeding Rev. T. 
J. Drane. During his pastorate he received into the church 
about one hundred and twenty-five members ; and raised for 
all purposes about six thousand dollars. Of this amount one 
thousand was for ministerial education. The house of worship 
was remodelled at this time at an expense of about fifteen hun- 



530 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

dred dollars. Rev. Dr. S. A. Hayden was for a number of 
months his associate pastor. In 1877 he founded Lea Female 
College, in the town of Summit. It occupies two squares of 
ground. Three ladies aided this school to the amount of two 
thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars and friends about one 
thousand dollars. The average attendance has been about 
sixty pupils per annum. The Alumnae number about sixty. 
It has done very efficient work. After the war in addition to 
teaching and preaching occupying his whole time, he spent 
about three hours each day reviewing his studies. Mississippi 
College honored him twice, first conferring upon him the de- 
gree of A. M. and then the degree of LL. D. He was a trustee 
of the University of Mississippi four years, and since then 
has been a trustee of Mississippi College about twelve years. 
After Prof. Thomas S. Gathright resigned the office of State 
Superintendent of Public Education of Mississippi, this gen- 
tleman and Mr. Patton waited on the governor in Dr. Otken's 
behalf. The result of the interview led to a dispatch to come 
to Jackson. He has also been invited to leave Mississippi 
and go to Texas. Various churches and institutions of learn- 
ing have extended invitations to him to emigrate, but all have 
been declined, as he feels that South Mississippi is his life-field. 
In his chosen field Dr. Otken has done and is still doing a 
great work. 

T. A. J. Owen, "a native of Fairfield district, South Caro- 
lina, was born January 31, 1817. He was raised under the in- 
fluence of pious parents, but grew up wild and reckless. His 
conversion was bright and hapov, occurring June, 1842. He 
was baptized into Little River Baptist Church by Elder Jona- 
than Davis. Upon his removal to Oktibbeha county, Mis- 
sissippi, in 1843, he united with the Starkville church and ear- 
nestly engaged in active religious work, Sunday-school and 
prayer-meeting. In 1852 he was ordained a deacon, but felt 
strongly impressed to do even more for the Lord. In 1854 he 
left Starkville and united with Wake Forest church of this 
bodv. and since that time has been an interested and efficient 
worker in it. His strong impressions to preach led his church 
to license him, and in November, 18G9, to ordain him, to the 
ministry, the presbytery being Elders W. H. Head, T. G. Scl- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS.' 531 

lers, J. T. Owens and A. J. Franklin. His special desire has 
been to labor in destitute sections and in such fields he has 
done much good. Though advanced in life he has not been in 
the ministry a great many years, having, as he says, rebelled 
against his convictions for fifteen years. Many have been 
converted under his ministry and been baptized by him. 
Though uneducated he has strong and mainly correct views of 
Bible truth, having been taught "from above." Every one 
with whom he comes in contact is impressed with the reality 
of his piety. He and his excellent wife have been led through 
the deep waters of affliction, having seen all of their children 
precede them into the dark valley — but with ample testimony 
of the piety of each one. They are now alone in the world, 
except a grand-daughter." Since the above, from our "His- 
tory of the Louisville Association," was written, Mr. Owen lost 
his wife; married again, lived several years happily with his 
second wife, which years were crowded with zealous labor in 
the Master's vine-yard ; and, in 1893, himself laid his armor 
down, in a good old age and went up to "see the King in his 
beauty." 

J. T. Owens lived in the Columbus Association a number 
of years and began preaching late in life. In his obituary, pub- 
lished in 1873, it is said that he "made a profession of faith and 
united with the church in 1831, moved to Mississippi in 1842 
and was one of the oldest members of the body at the time of 
his death. He died in the triumphs of the Christian faith." 
It is but justice to the memory of this good man that his name 
be here mentioned. He did much preaching in the Columbus 
Association. Dr. D. F. Owen, of Okolona, Miss., married a 
daughter of his, who is an excellent lady. 

Edwin Pace. At a called meeting of 'the Vernon Baptist 
church, Noxubee county, Miss., on the 30th day of March, 
1890, the following preamble and resolutions were offered by 
the committee on resolutions. And after a full discussion by 
several brethren of the merit of the same in which several 
brethren took part were unanimously adopted, 

Whereas, our Heavenly Father on the second day of Feb- 
ruary last in his inscrutable and all-wise Providence did re- 



532 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

move from our midst and from our pastorate, our dearly be- 
loved neighbor, brother and pastor, Rev. Edwin Pace, who was 
a member with us and our pastor, who had lived the greater 
portion of his life in our midst, who had been in the ministry 
for upwards of fifty years, w T ho we think had been faithful in 
his heaven-given word and whose praise was in all the churches 
where he had ever preached and who, though having his por- 
tion of the trials and affliction to which humanity is heir, yet 
maintained his integrity to the last. Therefore, 

Resolved (T), That in the death of Brother Pace, though a 
deep affliction and a heavy loss, we bow with humble submis- 
sion to this bereaving providence of our Heavenly Father who 
doeth all things well. Assuredly our loss is his eternal gain. 
(2), That in his death the communitv at large has lost a good 
citizen, a sympathizing neighbor and friend and his family and 
relatives, many of whom have passed on before him, a near and 
dear one, and the church of Christ a bold and fearless defender 
of the doctrine of our holy religion and whose works will fol- 
low him. (3\ That we will strive to remember and emulate 
the good example he set us in life and profit bv his faithful in- 
structions, while he was still left to us hoping in the "Bye and 
Bye" to strike hands with him on the sunny banks of everlast- 
ing deliverance where parting is unknown. (4), That a copy of 
this preamble and resolutions be spread upon the church book 
and one sent to the "Southern Baptist Record" for publication 
and request the "Mississippi Sun" to copy the same and be 
handed to his surviving family and relatives. Done by order 
of called conference bv the church on the fifth Sunday in 
March, 1S00. H. W. Evans, Gilbert Clark, B. F. Clark, T. R. 
Evans. Committee. Binnsville. Miss.. April 22, 1800.— Last 
Lord's Day, 5th Sunday, was a good day with the Vernon 
Baptist church, in Noxubee county, near Summervalle. Tt 
was the time and occasion of the Board meeting of the Choc- 
taw Association. A called Conference on Saturday before, 
appointed a committee to draft a preamble and resolution ex- 
pressing the sense of this church in regard to that veteran of 
the cross, Rev. Edwin Pace, which has been noticed in vour 
columns. On next dav these were presented for discussion. 
Pending their consideration, some five or six brethren spoke 
their sentiments in a very feeling and impressive manner, re- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. $33 

hearsing many points in his life and character; while many eyes 
in that large and intelligent congregation gave expression to 
feelings of sympathy and sorrow in flowing and irrepressible 
tears, while the people remembered his labors of love and his 
consecrated life — all going to show what a strong hold he had 
in life and retained even in death upon the affection of this peo- 
ple, gathered for several miles in all directions to attend his 
memorial service. Brother Pace ended his membership and 
pastorate on earth with this church, Vernon, — having made 
his virgin effort at preaching over fifty years ago within a half 
mile of this church, and having (as I believe) in all these years, 
been a member, perhaps, of only three churches. How worthy 
of study and emulation such a life! We think the impression 
made at the meeting was good and will be lasting. "Blessed 
are the dead who die in the Lord." — J. M. Nicholson. 

Julian Knight Pace was born in Fluvianna caunty, Vir- 
ginia, May 24, 1853. He received his collegiate education 
in Baylor University, Texas, and Furman University, S. C. 
He then entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 
and remained three sessions, from the fall of 1878 till the spring 
of 1881. He became an English graduate and also graduated 
in Greek. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry 
at Independence, Washington county, Texas, April 2, 1874. 
He was pastor at Maysville, Ky., from 1881 till 1883; at Bates- 
burg, S. C, from April, 1883 till November, 1887. He next 
became pastor of the First Baptist church, Little Rock, Ark., 
where he died, an efficient work remaining several years, until 
it became necessary for him to leave to attend to pressing 
business matters. While in Arkansas he was statistical secre- 
tary of the Arkansas State Convention and recording secretary 
of the State Mission Board. In 1893 Mr. Pace came to Missis- 
sippi to become pastor of the Baptist church in the important 
city of Hazlehurst. At once he laid hold of his work with a 
vigorous grip; stimulated the membership to complete some 
much needed material additions to the church edifice; gathered 
a number of new members into the fold, and became quite in- 
fluential in all circles in the city. Since he has been in this 
flourishing city there has been material, spiritual and numer- 
ical improvement, and withal during his residence there he got 



534 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

in the way and got struck by theological lightning. His 
divinity was doctored by the Trustees of Mississippi College 
in June, 1894, and now it is Dr. Pace, by your leave. Dr. Pace 
is a strong man, an efficient preacher, a genial and lovable 
spirit and a valuable addition to the Mississippi Baptist pulpit. 
We are glad to import such men as he is, and have received 
him with a warm welcome and bade him be a real true, loyal 
sure-enough Mississippian. He has gone to work and the 
harness fit him splendidly. 

Albert Gallatan Parrott is dead. With sadness I pen 
these words and with sadness will they be read by many of the 
readers of your paper. Brother Parrott departed this life very 
suddenly, Wednesday morning, March 2G, 1890, at his home 
near Germantown, Tenn. Mr. Parrott was born in Denmark, 
Madison county, Tenn., February 2, 1829. Professed faith in 
Christ and joined the church in 1847; was baptized by Rev. 
Hugh Coffey. He entered the ministry in 1857, was ordained 
and fully set apart to this work by Porters Creek Baptist 
church September 15, 1858, Revs. A. L. Darris and W. A. 
Henry forming the council. Soon after his ordination he 
moved from Tennessee to North Mississippi and settled in 
what was then Tippah county. Living then in the same neigh- 
borhood until a few years back, when he moved to west Ten- 
nessee, Shelby county, where he died in the sixty-first year of 
his age, and the thirty-fourth year of his ministry. The major 
part of his ministerial work was done in Mississippi. Here 
with the lamented M. P. Lowry, a true yoke fellow in the min- 
istry, he labored in the gospel to the glory of God and the 
salvation of many precious souls. Perhaps no two ministers 
of Jesus Christ ever loved each other more tenderly than did 
they. They were as David and Johnothan, their souls were 
knit together in love, and hand to hand, shoulder to shoulder 
and heart to heart they stood and labored together to the honor 
of God and the salvation of hundreds of precious souls. There 
are but few churches in the northern tier of counties of Missis- 
sippi but have been blessed by the labors of these faithful men 
of God, and hundreds at the last day, will rise up to call them 
blessed, because by them they had been pointed to the *Lamb 
of God who taketh away the sin of the world." Mr. Parrott 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 535 

was one of our strong men, his early advantages of acquiring 
an education were limited, but by dint of pluck and energy he 
had acquired quite a fund of information and a trained mind, 
that led those who knew him best to regard him as one of the 
deepest thinkers and best preachers of the section in which he 
labored. His sermons were always good, sound, logical and 
at times grandly eloquent. He was a man of extraordinary 
strength of character, a man of convictions and of courage, a 
bold defender of the truth, loyal to God and His word, noth- 
ing — popularity, position nor calumny — would move him 
or cause him to deviate one iota from a line of faithful duty 
as he understood it. And as a minister of Jesus Christ no man 
was more faithful in declaring the whole council of God. He 
was a quiet unassuming man, no aspirations for notoriety or 
display, but in talent he was qualified for the highest and most 
important positions in the denomination. As a writer, he was 
not weak. Many will remember the productions of his pen, 
written from time to time for our denominational papers, as 
articles of merit for clearness, pith and strength of thought. 
As a friend, a neighbor, a husband and parent he was a high 
type of Christian manhood. In every relation of life he was 
faithful and true and his sturdy character and consistent life 
is well worthy the imitation of us who follow after him. But 
he is gone, the Master whom he served so faithfully has called 
him hence, from labor to rest, from service to reward. That 
voice which in life was so eloquent in pleading God's cause is 
hushed in death, no more to be heard on earth. That hand 
that was so often lifted to point trembling sinners to the sin- 
ners friend, lies cold and stiff in the grave. But we will cher- 
ish his memory and strive to emulate his noble example, fol- 
lowing him as he followed Christ. He leaves a devoted wife, 
five sons and one daughter to mourn his departure. May God 
bless and comfort them and may the mantle of the father, as a 
Christian minister, fall on some of the boys and be worn as 
worthily by them as it was by him whom they mourn, is the 
prayer of one whose tears and sorrows mingle with theirs. — J. 
E. Buchanan. 

J. A. Peacock, living near Bankston, Choctaw county, has 
for some years, been pastor of McCurtain's Creek church. He 



536 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

is somewhat advanced in life and does not often attend the 
meetings of this body, but is quietly doing the work of the 
Lord and attending to the duties of his ministry. 

The above brief notice occurs in our "History of Louis- 
ville Association. " This excellent brother still (Nov., 1894) 
lives at his home at Bankston, Miss. 

Jesse M. Pierson was born of pious parents in Jasper 
county, Georgia, March 23, 1821. His father moved from 
there to Tallapoosa county, Alabama in December, 1838. He 
married in December, 1813. In January, 1845, he settled a 
place near where Loachapoka now is, on the Montgomery and 
West Point railway in what is now known as Lee county, Ala. 
On August 29, 1817, upon a profession of his faith in Christ, 
he was baptized by Rev. Hugh Carmichael into the fellowship 
of the Bethel Baptist church in Tallapoosa county, Ala. He 
was ordained a deacon by that church on March 17, 1819, and 
represented that church in the Liberty Association until he 
moved from there to Scott county, Mississippi, in December, 
1856, and in January, 1857, he united by letter with the Jeru- 
salem Baptist church near Ludlow in Scott county. He was 
licensed to preach by this church in 1858. On August 30, 1808, 
he was ordained as a gospel minister by Jerusalem church; the 
presbytery called by the church was composed of Revs. J. S. 
Antlev, who was the pastor and S. J. Denson, P. M. Gaddis, 
W. R. Butler and Dr. T. E. Morris.' 

After which he was engaged almost all the time for a num- 
ber of years in pastoral work principally and some missionary' 
work, in Scott, Leake, Madison and Rankin counties. For the 
last eight years he has not been engaged in active pastoral 
work, the churches around him being able to obtain younger, 
and more able and efficient pastors than he feels himself to be 
and believing it best for his Master's cause, he encouraged 
them to do so. He still thinks this was best. He has repre- 
sented his church in the associational meetings nearly every 
year since he has been a church member. He has presided as 
moderator of the Mt. Olive Association eight, out of the sev- 
enteen years of its existence. He is now in his seventy-fourth 
year, and rejoices to know that so many of the young ministers 
are availing themselves of the opportunities offered them to 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. $37 

prepare for the great work the Master has called them to per- 
form in his name. He says, "May the good Lord abundantly 
bless them in all their laudable undertakings, and make them 
more efficient in work than some of us older ones have been. 
May our God bless you in all your laudable undertakings for 
the good of the people, and the advancement of His cause here 
in the world, and the glory of His name forever ," 

J. B. Perkins, Tribute of respect to their late pastor by 
Okolona Baptist church in Conference assembled: Whereas, 
on Saturday, September 18, 1886, God in his infinite wisdom, 
saw fit to send the Angel of Death into our fold, to remove 
from us our beloved pastor, Rev. J. B. Perkins, in the early 
strength and vigor of his manhood, therefore be it 

Resolved, (1) That while we are bowed down in grief and 
sorrow at our loss, it is in a spirit of Christian resignation to 
the will of our Heavenly Father, and we mourn not as those 
without hope, having full assurance that our brother and pastor 
has but gone into the presence of his Savior to enter into that 
eternal rest which awaits the faithful follower of Jesus. (2) That 
we cherish the memory of Brother Perkins, as possessing all 
the elements that go to make up an earnest Christian, an elo- 
quent minister of the gospel, a faithful and efficient pastor, a 
quiet, gentlemanly citizen, an affectionate and devoted husband 
and father, and that we will strive to emulate his example as he 
followed Christ, and while we tender sincere condolence and 
heartfelt, active sympathy to his grief stricken widow and little 
ones in their affliction, we pray our merciful Heavenly Father 
to sanctify this sad affliction to the good of us all. (3.) That 
the "Baptist Record" and "Chickasaw Messenger" be re- 
quested to publish this tribute to the memory of our sainted 
and gifted pastor, that Aberdeen papers be requested to copy, 
that the church clerk spread a copy of the same upon the rec- 
ord of the church and to furnish a copy to the bereaved wife 
and mother. (4) This conference do now adjourn in respect to 
the memory of our departed pastor. 

Okolona, Miss., September 26th, 1886. 

Resolutions of respect, passed by the Y. M. C. A., of 
Okolona, Miss., upon the death of Elder J. B. Perkins, late 
pastor of the Baptist church: 



538 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Whereas, it has pleased God in his providence to remove 
from our midst in the prime and vigor of life our beloved bro- 
ther, Elder J. B. Perkins; whose Christian works, whose mod- 
esty and unassuming worth, and whose splendid intellect and 
many manly virtues had won for him the admiration, respect 
and love of all who knew him — those who knew him most 
intimately loving him best. Be it therefore, resolved, (1.) That 
in his death our association has lost one of its brightest, purest 
and best members, society one of her most worthy and hon- 
ored citizens, the church one of her ablest and most useful 
ministers and beloved pastors, his family a devoted husband 
and father. (2.) That in his death we recognize that God's ways 
are not man's ways, that God in his dealings with man is no 
respecter of persons or conditions, but dealeth with all as in 
His wisdom he deemeth best. (3.) That while we mourn the 
loss of our departed brother and commingle our tears with 
those of his sorrow stricken wife and children, we are assured 
that all is well with him, that our loss is his gain, that from a 
world of sorrow, pain and death, he has been transplanted to 
that bright Heavenly home, where sickness, sorrow, pain, death 
and separation are known no more. (4.) That we tender the 
wife and children of our lamented brother our deepest sym- 
pathy in this hour of their sore bereavement. (5.) That the 
Secretary furnish a copy of these resolutions to the wife and 
mother of the deceased and request a copy of the same to be 
published in the "Chickasaw Messenger" and "Baptist Record'' 
of Jackson, Miss. J. H. Barr, J. Ritchey, W. D. Fraze, Com- 
mittee on Resolutions. 

j. M. Perry, who was once a minister in Columbus, is 
said by Dr. William Carey Crane, to have been an excellent 
preacher as well as a fine scholar. After having been pastor 
for some while of Mount Zion church, Lowndes county, h:- 
moved to Texas and, in 1881, lived in Brownwood, Texas, 
highly esteemed. In November, 1884, he still lives in Brown- 
wood, Texas. 

R. M. Perry, a minister of whom we have no material, de- 
serves to be mentioned in these pages. He was ordained 
September 21, 1856, by Pleasant Grove church, Florida. He 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS, 539 

came to Mississippi in 1875, and spent some years in earnest 
ministerial labor in our State. , 

John Lewis Pettigrew was born near Carrollton, Pickens 
county, Alabama, September 4, 1834. In early life with his 
parents he moved to Winston county, Miss., near Liberty 
church, of which both his parents and he were members. He 
received his collegiate education in Mississippi College, from 
which he was graduated with the degree of A. B., and from 
which later he received the degree of A. M. He entered the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary then at Greenville, S. 
C, and spent nearly the whole of the session there from Sep- 
tember, 1860, till May, 1861. He was ordained to the full work 
of the ministry by Liberty church, Winston county, Miss., 
March 23, 1862. He removed to Hinds county either during 
or immediately after the civil war and has lived in that county 
ever since, principally at Raymond and Clinton. He was 
Principal of Midway High School, Hinds county, from the 
fall of 1867 till the summer of 1869. His pastorates have been 
in Hinds and contiguous counties, and in them he has been 
greatly blessed and is held in the highest esteem. He was 
pastor of the church at Auburn (now Learned), Hinds county, 
from 1867 through 1869, and again during 1884 and 1885. He 
was pastor at Terry, Hinds county, during 1868 and 1869; of 
the church at Indian Creek (now Chapel Hill) in 1869; of the 
Clinton church from 1869 till 1871; of the Raymond church 
from 1870 till 1873, and again from 1877 till 1883; of the Min- 
eral Springs church from 1880 till 1883. For a number of 
years following 1873 he was pastor of Bethesda church, Hinds 
county; for a term of years following 1874 he was pastor of 
Palestine church, Hinds county; for some years succeeding 
1884 he was pastor of the Brandon church, Rankin county; 
following 1886 for some years he was pastor of Pelahatchie 
church, Rankin county; and was pastor of New Prospect 
church, Rankin county some years following 1887. He has 
ever been a laborious and zealous pastor, looking after the de- 
velopment of his churches along all the lines of church effi- 
ciency and benevolence, and is now, (Nov. 1894), while living 
in Clinton, serving . acceptably in a pastorate of neighboring 
churches, in the vicinity of where he has lived and labored a 



540 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

quarter of a century. Besides being a preacher of rare ability 
and culture he is also a writer of force and vigor. His well 
conceived and thoroughly wrought out articles have often en- 
riched the columns of our denominational papers, more so 
formerly than of late years. His communications to the 
press, like his sermons, are the unfolding of some important 
subject and laying it before his readers. 

We first met him at the Mississippi Baptist Convention, 
in Starkville, in 1877. At this meeting he preached the con- 
vention sermon from the text, Prov. 23 :23, "Buy the truth and 
sell it not." The sermon was one of great breadth of concep- 
tion and made a fine impression upon the audience. At any 
rate, the impression made upon one of them remains to-day. 
Again he was with us a few days in 1879, in a meeting of days 
in our church while we were pastor at Louisville, Winston 
county, and preached several sermons of power. The only 
one of these sermons heard by the pastor, who was sick at the 
time, was one from Rom. 12:1, "I beseech you therefore breth- 
ren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living 
sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God," and was a strong and 
earnest plea for Christian consecration. During the year 
1892 he and his excellent wife had a great affliction to come 
upon them. Their only child, a son upon the threshold of 
manhood, with a young wife, and looking to the gospel min- 
istry, Howard Pettigrew, sickened and died. This was a 
crushing and mysterious stroke of Providence, but Mr. Petti- 
grew rested upon God's word and trusted in his wisdom and 
love. 

. M. Phillips was born November, 16, 1853, four miles 
north of Shubuta, his present home. His father was a farmer, 
and a conscientious, heightened, Christian man, one who had 
the esteem of all who knew him. He went to his reward about 
ten years ago. His mother's maiden name was Frost. She 
was a woman of amiable disposition and Christian character. 
About a year ago she was called to the rest that remaineth to 
the people of God. He was raised on the farm — raised to toil 
from Monday morning till Saturday night. The first few 
years of his life were passed .at a period when the advantages 
for mental and moral training were very meager; during and 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 541 

just after the civil war. His father was away during those 
dreadful years of bloodshed, so that the management of the 
home affairs and the training of the children were left entirely 
with the mother. Nobly did she perform this double duty. 
His eldest brother, Albert, grew up to manhood about the 
close of the war. He was a youth of exemplary piety, and no 
doubt, helped greatly in moulding for good the characters .of 
the younger children. After supper he would gather the 
younger children — a large family of them around the great 
old-fashioned fire-place, and take the place of school-teacher. 
He died in 1867. There are four brothers in the better land, 
one brother and four sisters living. The only brother, Rev. J. 
E. Phillips, is now attending his second year at the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, Ky. The youth's 
education was obtained principally at home by his own efforts. 
He doesn't think he ever went to school more than a year 
altogether. Yet he has always been a close student. With 
a thirst for knowledge and a taste for reading, he has 
acquired an education sufficient for him to get along upon in 
his calling. He has been accumulating good books all along 
till now he has a nice little library. About four years ago, he 
spent one month very profitably attending a ministers' institute 
at East Lake, near Birmingham, Ala., conducted by Rev. D. I. 
Purser. There he had the pleasure of listening to lectures 
from such men as Manly, McDonald, Anderson, Purser and 
others. In 1873, he joined the Shubuta Baptist church in a 
meeting conducted by the lamented James Nelson. He was 
licensed to preach in the fall of that year, helped in protracted 
meetings the next year, and was ordained to the full work of 
the ministry in the fall of 1874. He at once accepted the 
care of churches, being then just twenty-one years old. The 
next three or four years were spent in close study and pastoral 
and protracted meeting work. In those years much valuable 
material was gathered and stored away for future use. He 
studied the Bible and a few other good books closely, was sys- 
tematic in both study and work, and his mind was active and 
retentive. On August, 14, 1878, he was married to Miss 
Georgie Dees, of Shubuta. Sixteen years, they have borne 
together life's joys and sorrows — years of peace and happiness 
in spite of the sorrows. They have two splendid boys, Bennie 



542 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

aged fifteen, Oscar eleven years, and a sweet little girl, Annie- 
Laura, aged one year. Their home is in the suburbs* of Shu- 
buta. Here they have the delights of country life as well as 
the advantages of town life. Here they enjoy, 
"Content, 

Retirement, rural quiet, 

Friendship, books, 

Ease and alternate labor;" 
and here they feel settled for life unless God directs 
otherwise. In 1S88, his wife lay sick with fever for forty days 
and was given out to die Many sad hours did he spend over 
the thought that the tender ties that had linked their hearts 
together for ten brief years should be so rudely severed. But 
God in mercy spared her to him. Again, in 1891 their home 
was shrouded in gloom when for three long months his own 
life was despaired of. But it pleased God to spare him to his 
family and to his services a while longer. For years his health 
has been shattered by a nervous trouble, which has greatly 
hindered his usefulness. He sometimes gives up the ministry 
partially, and once or twice has retired altogether and taken a 
complete rest. But the fields were so white and the laborers so 
few that he would soon be pressed into service again. He has 
served the following churches since he entered the ministry. 
In Alabama: Isney, Escatawpa and St. Stephens. In Missis- 
sippi: Clear Creek, Concord, Fairfield, Harmony, Hepzibah, 
Heidelberg, Hickory Grove, State Line, Buccatunna, Waynes- 
boro, Shubuta, De Soto, Quitman and Enterprise. Some of 
these he served only one year, some two, and others several 
years in succession. He has been pastor of Shubuta church 
three different times, and of Clear Creek almost ever since he 
commenced preaching. He regrets that he has not kept a 
record of persons he has baptized. He has, however, baptized 
quite a large number. He has married seventy couples, the 
fees aggregating about two hundred and fifty dollars. He has 
had something to do in building, houses of worship at Clear 
Creek, Concord, De Soto and Shubuta. His present work 
consists of the following churches : Shubuta, Fairfield and Clear 
Creek. Notwithstanding his bad health he feels that the Lord 
has blessed his labors. The people among whom he has lab- 
ored have given him their love and confidence. He is blessed 
with many friends, who, during the dark days of affliction, gave 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



543 



substantial proof of their affection among the tried and true 
friends that encouraged him in his early ministry and have 
since been faithful, he cannot refrain from mentioning Rev. 
Oscar D. Bowen, who baptized him, preached his ordination 
sermon, married him, and he thought at one time, would have 
to bury him. 




Henry Pitt man. 

In giving a memoir of 
this man of God, this 
nobleman among the 
Lord's ministers, we 
first let him speak in 
an autobiography: "I 
was born in Robison 
county, N. C, March 
1, 1817, being the eld- 
est of nine children. 
Owing to the poverty 
of my parents and the 
meager advantages of 
schools in that part of 
the State at the time I 
grew up to mature age 
with almost no educa- 
tion. In the latter part of the summer of 1833 Rev. Michael 
Ross, of South Carolina, had an appointment to preach about 
six miles from my home. Having heard that he was an able 
preacher I became somewhat anxious to hear him myself. So 
I went to the meeting 'dead in trespasses and sins/ and the ser- 
mon I heard was the means of opening my eyes to see my 
wretched condition as a sinner against God. I knew before 
this that I was a sinner and had often resolved to quit my sin- 
ful ways and do better, but I invariably failed to do so. Now 
I had a view of sin against God as never before, and returned 
home that evening with a broken and contrite heart. Being 
ignorant of the way of salvation I concluded that the only way 
for me to gain the favor of God, whose displeasure I had in- 
curred, was to quit sinning and do all the good I could. I 
seemed to have no idea of a mediator between God and sinners, 



REV. HENRY PITTMAN. 



544 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

therefore I went to work in earnest to do the whole work of 
reconciliation between myself and God. I abstained from pro- 
fanity, drunkenness, and such like, and seemed for a while to 
be getting along tolerably well. But it was not long before 
an incident occurred of a somewhat exciting nature, and under 
the impulse of the moment I made use of a profane word, 
Scarcely, however, had it escaped my lips before I felt as if I 
were in a worse condition than ever before, for I had resolved 
before God that I would quit my sinful ways, and now, with- 
out any reasonable excuse, I had again taken his name in vain. 
Here I began to realize more fully than ever before that the law 
of God was so vast, so just and holy that it was impossible for 
me, sinful and weak as I was, ever to comply with its righteous 
demands. I read the Scriptures but found no relief, and so 
ignorant was I of the Bible that I did not know where to find 
anything appropriate to my case. At this point, however, 
it appeared to me that I ought to bow down before God and 
pray for mercy. So I went immediately to a very secluded 
place and prostrating myself before him prayed as best I could, 
but it seemed to me that my prayer was of no avail. Notwith- 
standing, I continued from day to day in prayer. I, waited 
patiently for the Lord, and he inclined his ear unto me and 
heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, 
out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and estab- 
lished my goings and he hath put a new song in my mouth, 
even praises unto our God. That sense of condemnation that 
had so heavily pressed upon my heart was removed, but in 
such a way that I could not tell exactly when or how. It was 
gone and I knew that a change had taken place, but I feared 
that it might not be that change which Christ taught Nicod- 
emus must be possessed in order to enter the kingdom of 
God. Up to this time I had not expressed my feelings to anv 
one, but I was now willing, should an opportunity occur, to do 
so. Soon after this I visited an old man living in the neigh- 
borhood who was a member of the Baptist church and who had 
long been impressed that I was seeking the Lord. He very 
soon introduced the subject of religion and led me to express 
myself fully as to how I felt upon the subject. He at once 
advised me to join the church. The only objection I gave him 
was that I was not good enough! Soon after this interview 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 545 

with this old brother the regular meeting of the church of 
which he was a member came on. In those days the churches 
had preaching- on Saturdays and attended to all their disciplin- 
ary business, so that the Lord's Day might be devoted exclu- 
sively to preaching and other devotional exercises. I attended 
church on Saturday and the pastor preached from Mat. 16 :24. 
The sermon seemed to be intended especially for me. At any 
rate it convinced me that it was my duty to join the church 
which I did that day. I was baptized the next day which was 
the third Sabbath in June, 1835 — memorable day! 

"Before I got home that evening I was sorely tempted of 
the Devil. He came at me somewhat in this way: 'Now you 
have joined the church without religion and you are in a worse 
condition than you were before.' Well, I very readily admitted 
that if I had not been born again I was totally unfit to be a 
member of the church. I knew I was not a hypocrite, but I 
did not know but that I was deceived. For about a month I 
was greatly distressed about the matter and was much of the 
time engaged in prayer and self-examination. I finally began 
reasoning somewhat in this way on the subject, Tt may be that 
I am in the church without religion, but I have no disposition 
to go back into the world and live a sinful life, and now I am 
resolved that if I go to hell I will do so trying to serve the 
Lord.' At this point light and comfort came into my heart 
and I commenced singing: 

" 'On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, 
And cast a wishful eye, 

To Canaan's fair and happy land, 
Where my possessions lie.' 

"My impressions to preach the gospel, as well as I now 
remember, began with my conversion. I found in my heart 
a strong desire to tell sinners of that Savior who had done so 
much for me. After the great conflict with Satan above men- 
tioned that desire became intensified. It seemed to me that 
preaching the gospel was the greatest work in the world, (I 
am of the same opinion still), and I did not see how any one so 
poorly qualified as myself could be called of God to such work. 
But, notwithstanding all this, the impression that I ought to 
preach, and the desire to do so, haunted me all the time. Un- 
der these impressions I went to God in prayer, beseeching him 



54^ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

that if he had called me to preach his word to make it known 
to me by some means in his great power; that I could have 
no doubt as to my duty in the matter. About this time I 
bought a hymn book and as I could not preach I commenced 
singing the gospel to the people. One evening after singing 
m the family of a neighbor I proposed to engage in prayer, to 
which consent was readily given, and this was the first time I 
ever attempted to pray in public. Soon after this the pastor 
of the church, after preaching, called on me to conclude the 
services. I attempted to excuse myself but he insisted. So I 
led the congregation in singing, 'Am I a soldier of the cross?' 
and led in prayer in which the Holy Ghost seemed greatly to 
aid me. After this I appointed a meeting for prayer at a neigh- 
bor's house. A large number were present and there was no 
one to take part in the exercises but myself. After singing 
and prayer I read a portion of God's word and commenced 
talking about it, and was soon engaged in a warm exhortation 
which seemed to have a good effect upon the people. The 
desire for such meetings in the community was such that my 
services were in great demand. 

"I decided to come with some relatives to Carroll county. 
Miss. We arrived here in the spring of 1838. I found 
the religious condition of affairs here very different 
from what they were in North Carolina. The- country 
was being rapidly settled by persons from different 
States. What few Baptist churches there were had more or 
less division upon the subject of missions and also upon some 
of the great doctrines of Christianity, such, for instance, as the 
Sovereignity of God, Free Agency of Man, Election, Predesi- 
nation, the Atonement, whether limited or unlimited. This was 
all new to me ; consequently I was not prepared to say what I 
believed concerning these great doctrines which I had never 
studied. Hays Creek church, of which I was a member, gave 
me the privilege of exercising my gifts publicly within her 
bounds, but my temperament was such that embarrassment 
prevented me from doing more in a public way than to sing 
and pray. 

"In the fall of 1838 I fortunately made hte acquaint- 
ance of the late Rev. S. S. Lattimore, who soon became very 
much interested in my behalf. At that time arrangements 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 547 

were in progress for him to teach a high grade denominational 
school in the town of Middleton, commencing early in the fol- 
lowing year. He promised to board me and give me my 
tuition for my services when not in school. To this proposi- 
tion I readily consented and went to school the spring term." 
Here the writer narrates. Mr. Pittman did not return to 
the fall term because of embarrassed finances. The school 
oassed from the hands of Lattimore, by resignation to Rev. A. 
S. Bailey, of Columbus, as President, and was known as Judson 
Institute. In July, 1840, there was a great revival in Pleasant 
Grove church, of which Mr. Pittman was a member. He was 
much revived and was active in the meeting. In August this 
church licensed him to preach, and the Zion Association, of 
which his church was a member, arranged that fall to send 
him to Judson Institute, at Middleton. He entered early in 
1841 and continued until the session closed. In the meantime 
Salem church, Carroll county, called him to their pastorate. 
He accepted and began his work there early in 1842, giving 
them one-fourth of his time and the remainder to destitute 
points in Carroll and Holmes counties. He says: "Rev. 
Barry Nail was then the only missionary Baptist preacher in 
Holmes county, and there were only three in Carroll county 
and only one of these was actively engaged in the ministry." 
His sense of lack of fitness for the work led our young man to 
secretly think of abandoning the ministry. This was men- 
tioned to none but God and it was in June. In August, in a 
great revival in Ebenezer church, the only missionary Baptist 
church in Holmes county, the most of the preaching devolved 
upon him, and his preaching had a fine effect upon the people, 
but he himself was greatly distressed on account of the cold- 
ness of his own heart and wrestled with God for relief. He 
was relieved in the midst of an invitation he made, and which 
many accepted, to all interested in religion to come forward. 
A stream of light and joy came into his own soul and filled him 
with holy exultation. He there and then publicly promised 
God to preach his word as long as he lived. At this meeting 
the parents of Dr. H. F. Sproles were converted and baptized. 
In November, 1842, the Salem church had him ordained. The 
presbytery consisted of Revs. Meedy White, Lee Compere, 
Barry Nail, and Jesse Thomas; on the same afternoon he bap- 



54^ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

tized eight persons. Soon he aided in organizing Mount 
Olivet church, three miles southeast of Lexington; also Union, 
six miles north of Lexington, and Sayron in the vicinity of the 
present Castilian Springs. Of the first two he was pastor 
several years and his labors were greatly blessed. In January, 
1844, he married a widow. Mrs. Nelms, who lived near Mid- 
dleton. He continued the pastorate of Mount Olivet and 
Union for some time although the distance to them was great. 
A few years later a church was organized in Lexington which 
led to the dissolution of L nion church. Another church or- 
ganized near by led also to the dissolution of Mount Olivet. 
In January. 1847, he became pastor of the Middleton church, 
and continued in this pastorate for ten years when in 1857 he 
resigned and accepted a call from the Carrollton church. 
Here he was pastor two years and resigned. He was recalled 
and accepted the Middleton past- .rate again, where he con- 
tinued until 1861. In the midst of war so many ministers were 
needed as chaplains that they were very scarce at home. The 
demands upon Mr. Pittman were very great, but he supplied 
the destitution as far as lie was able to do so, visited the sick, 
officiated at funerals, made shoes for the people and superin- 
tended his farm. His health failed. He was afflicted with 
"clergyman's sore throat" (laryngitis), of which he suffered in 
his latest years. During the twelve years with Middleton 
church there were many precious revivals and many conver- 
sions and additions to the church. The remainder of his 
time was given to surrounding churches. He lost his first wife 
in October. 1852, and in Xovember, 1851. he was married to 
Miss I. D. YYadlington. an exemplary member of Middleton 
church. She became the mother of seven children ; three sons 
and four daughters: of whom two sons and one daughter are 
now living. She died in March, 1870, and in 1881 he was 
married to Miss M. E. Segar, of Virginia, who still survives, 
and was a great help to him. Several years before his death 
he resigned the care of all his churches on account of failure 
of his health, and did not preach any for two years. An im- 
provement of his health led him to again form pastoral ties; 
and he says: "I have good reason to be thankful to God that 
my labors have been blessed to the spiritual good of many." 
When seventv-twn vears of age he felt that he could preach as 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 549 

well as at any time in his life, and had as great a desire to 
preach as he ever had. In his later years his preaching was 
more of a doctrinal character than the preaching of others. 
This he felt was objectionable to many, even of Baptists, who 
would say that such stirred up strife among Christians. But 
he thought that the servant, obeying his Lord's command, is 
not to be blamed for this. The minister should preach the 
whole truth to clear himself of the blood of all men. The 
fundamental doctrines of Christianity should be presented and 
their relation to true practical piety enforced, and great good 
will follow. He felt that he was led in the providence of God 
to Carroll county and by him kept there. He often sought 
openings to go elsewhere but none presented and he was kept 
there by God's providence. His ministry of about fifty years 
was almost entirely confined to Holmes, Carroll and Choctaw 
counties. He sorely regretted that he could not be more con- 
secrated to his great calling; but it fell to his lot to serve 
churches which were poor and untrained in the duty of pas- 
toral support, and so he was compelled to seek a living from 
other callings. He had seen the evils of ministers making 
debts and relying on the churches to meet these debts, and 
their failure to do what they promised, and so he would not 
hazard his good name in this way. He says: "It matters 
not how great a preacher's talent may be, if he becomes a 
bankrupt it will be almost certain to destroy his usefulness." 
These pioneer Baptist preachers preached the gospel at their 
own charges, and God only knows their arduous labors and 
sacrifices from 1834 to 1850. An intelligent Christian gentle- 
man once said of him : "Baptist preachers are either the best 
of men, or the greatest of fools, in the world. They are in- 
fluenced by pure love to God and souls, or they have no better 
sense, in making these sacrifices." Of many of them the 
world was not worthy. Mr. Pittman says (in 1889): "They 
had great faith in God and in the power of his word, and he 
made their ministry a blessing to the people. If I had my 
life to live over again I should certainly strive for greater 
consecration to the Lord. Above all things the minister of 
the gospel should be 'filled with the spirit' at all times. For 
his usefulness and happiness depend in a great measure upon 
it. No amount of mental culture or natural endowments will 



550 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

answer as a substitute. I am conscious of the fact that I 
have not done, as a minister, the amount of good in the world 
that I ought to have done and that I might have done had 
I given myself wholly to the great things of my high calling. 
And now as I am old I cannot reasonably hope to accomplish 
much more for the Master. My labors on earth will soon 
be done. My race will soon be run, and my last battle will 
soon be fought. But thanks be to God for the good hope 
through grace which I have, that when the conflict is ended 
I shall go up and be with Christ which is far better." " 

Earl}- in the year 1892 he was afflicted with what proved 
to be cancer of the stomach, and for many weeks suffered 
greatly. In the last days of April the writer called to see him 
in his sick room at the home of his son-in-law, Dr. W. A. 
Hurt, in Winona. After some pleasant spiritual conversa- 
tion he said: "Brother Foster, w.e may never meet again on 
earth. Let us pray together once more." After a season of 
prayer we clasped for the last time his thin white hand and 
bade him good-bye. It was the last meeting. He bore his 
sufferings for weeks with patience and often said, " I know 
whom I have believed and that he is able to keep that which 
I have committed to him against that day." He spoke often 
of the loved ones gone before. A few days before the end 
he had a vision, of which he said. " I have had such a beau- 
tiful vision. I am so happy. L feel as free as a bird, no 
trouble, no pain, but all is perfect peace and delight.' 1 He 
peacefully fell on sleep June 2. 1S92, greatly honored and loved 
It is perfectly safe to say that no man ever lived in Montgom- 
ery, Carroll or Holmes counties who inspired such universal 
confidence and respect as Henry Pittman. 

Leander 5. Piker was born in the parish of East Baton 
Rouge, La., Aug. 24, 1853; was converted at seventeen years 
of age by reading the Xew Testament, and one year later was 
licensed to preach the gospel. He attended Centenary College 
La., and Mississippi College, Miss., and there received a classi- 
cal education, being an Alumnus of the latter. He has been 
a close student of Systematic Theology, aiming always in 
preaching to disclose the exact thought of the word. He has 
been pastor of some of the leading churches of the South. His 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 551 

work in the city of Baton Rouge commenced with fourteen 
female members; and within less than three years he had nearly 
completed, free of debt, a handsome brick church edifice. 
While there he was twice appointed chaplain of the State Leg- 
islature, and for two years was chaplain of the State University. 
His last field of labor, before coming to St. Louis, was Stark- 
ville, Miss. During his pastorate there he was also professor 
of Elocution and Belles-Lettres in Starkville Female College. 
Over one thousand persons have joined the churches under his 
ministry. He will ever attribute whatever success may attend 
his life mainly to the intelligence and piety of a devoted mo- 
ther. He had to give up his work in St. Louis, October, 
1888, and go South, his health having failed. And after long 
and patient suffering he passed over the river from the home of 
his father-in-law, Mr. Jno. L. White, at Brookhaven, Miss., 
and was buried in the Brookhaven Cemetery. He left a wife 
and two precious little boys, the younger of whom, little L. S. 
Piker, soon followed him to the grave. 

H. W. Portwood. Of H. W. Portwood, Rev. W. H. 
Head, in 1881, wrote : "He is yet living in the State, and still 
laboring in word and doctrine, as he has done now for these 
many years. He has doubtless been given to see much good 
effected by his labors, and, like others, has sometimes done 
good that he himself 'wot not of.' If it be not irrelevant to 
the purpose of these brief memory sketches, I would tell some 
things of Brother Portwood in his relations with myself. I 
have never understood why he took such interest in me 
even before my birth in Christ, was glad at my baptism, and 
my beginning to preach, but so it was. After I had been 
preaching for a time, being discouraged at not seeing any re- 
sults follow my efforts, I gave up preaching for a time, intend- 
ing to make it a subject of inquiry and prayer wh ether I were 
called of God to the work while teaching a five-months school. 
As my school closed, and yet no more satisfied in mind as to 
duty, I received a pressing invitation from Brother Portwood 
to assist him in a protracted meeting with the Liberty church, 
of which he was then pastor, some twenty-four miles from 
where I lived. The friendly encouraging expressions of 
Brother Portwood in the invitation induced me to accept it, 



552 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

at the same time covenanting witli the Lord, that, if he would 
give me to see good effected by my preaching I would con- 
clude I was indeed called to that w 7 ork and would thereafter 
continue to preach as long as providentially enabled to do 
so. I was the only ministerial help Brother Portwood had, 
he made me preach at every service day and night, while he 
labored otherwise with much zeal. I was much aided in my 
youth and in experience by his kindness, his sympathetic ap- 
preciation of my efforts, and encouragement in every way. We 
had a good meeting, indeed, a real old time revival, and some 
fifteen or twenty were added to the church by experience and 
baptism. Some in relating the exercises of their minds in 
coming to a hope in Christ made mention of particular ser- 
mons I had preached. One especially, on whom I kept my 
eyes years after to see if he were really converted, referred 
to Jer. 8:6 as a text I had used and which had swept away 
from him every refuge save Christ only. At the closing ser- 
vice, as the parting hand was given me, my eyes, tearless as 
they commonly are, were flooded as they have seldom been 
through life. I hope the Lord blessed me in that meeting, 
and I think he used Brother Portwood in part to do it. Years 
after I was pastor myself at Liberty some five or six years, and 
that particular brother, referred to above, was my 'joy and 
crown,' as Paul says, in that church. The war came on, he 
entered the army, and after some time I received a letter from 
him written in the army giving unsolicited by me, an expres- 
sion of his religious feelings and telling how he was 
trying to live near his Savior. The next day, per- 
haps, or within a few days after the date of that 
letter, the battle of the Peach Tree (I think it was 
called) was fought near Atlanta, Ga., and Brother Frank- 
Clark (for it was he) was killed, being shot through the head, 
and received I trust into heaven. I was afterwards with 
Brother Portwood in other meetings, but never was so much 
blessed. As pastor and as missionary Brother Portwood ef- 
fected much good in the bounds of the Louisville Association. 
I hope the Lord is still with him." Late in 1892 or early in 
1893 this man of God was summoned from earth to heaven 
and quietly joined the "silent majority," full of faith and good 
works. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



553 




William David 
Powell was born in 
Jackson, Mississippi, 
July 1, 1854. He re- 
ceived his collegiate 
education in Union 
University, Murfrees- 
boro, now South- 
western Baptist Uni- 
v e r s i t y , Jackson, 
Tenn., from which he 
was graduated with 
the degree of A. B. 
He received later 
from Baylor Univer- 
sity, Texas, the hon- 
orary degree of A. M. 
He entered the 
Southern Baptist 
REV. W. D. POWELL, D. D. Theological Semi- 

nary, Greenville, S. C, in 1872, and remained there until the 
spring of 1874, two sessions, graduating in some of the im- 
portant schools of the Seminary. He was ordained to the full 
work of the ministry at Mufreesboro, Tenn:, January, 1874. 
He received the honorary degree of D. D., from the South- 
western Baptist University, Jackson, Tenn., in 1884. He was 
president of Oakdale Academy, Tennessee, in 1875, and of 
Minneola High School in 1876 and 1877. He was elected su- 
perintendent of Sunday-school Missions for the Texas Baptist 
Sunday-school and Colportage Convention, and served in 
this work from November, 1877, until October, 1882. In 

1874 he was missionary pastor at Greenville, Mississippi. In 

1875 he was pastor of Powell's Chapel, and Etta's Chapel, and 
Antioch, churches in Tennessee. He was pastor at Minneola, 
Texas, in 1876 and 1877. He has been Southern Baptist mis- 
sionary in Mexico, at Saltillo, from 1882 till 1888, and evan- 
gelist for all Mexico and superintendent of Southern Baptist 
work in Mexico since 1888. We quote from the "Foreign 
Mission Journal:" "Brother Powell is a native of Mississippi, 
and was educated in Union University, Tenn., His minister- 



554 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

lal life has Deen spent mainly in Texas, where he was for five 
years Sunday-school missionary, and as such is better known 
and more widely esteemed than any other young man in the 
State. He met the corresponding secretary and others of the 
Convention, in Greenville, appeared before the Board in Rich- 
mond May 31, 1S82, and after examination was, with hearty 
unanimity, appointed to the work for which he feels himseli 
divinely called. He has already some command of colloquial 
Spanish, has traveled in Mexico, and is familiar with the char- 
acter and needs of the people. His idea (and we doubt not 
the correct one) is, that more of good impression can be made 
on the children than on older people. He will aim, therefore, 
along with regular preaching, to open schools. Both Mr,. 
Powell and her sister, Miss Mayberry, have had experience a? 
teachers. They love the work, have succeeded admirably in 
it, and enter with pious zeal upon the new sphere of usefulness 
opening before them. Brother Powell's engagements in 
Texas will detain him until July 1st (1882). He proposes to 
spend two months in visiting Associations and Conventions, 
and to cross the Rio Grande about the 1st of September. The 
location of the party is not yet positively determined, but will 
probably be at Saltillo, the capital of the State of Coahuila." 
From Laredo Dr. Powell wrote, October 12, 1882: "To- 
night we held our first service in Spanish. It was a precious 
meeting. The spirit of the Lord was with us. We had some 
thirty or forty Mexicans present. Many were moved to tears. 
They liked the spirit of the meeting very much. I spoke 
through my teacher and interpreter, Santiago A. Warren, af- 
ter which he addressed the congregation in earnest words, and 
was followed by a native Methodist minister. I have secured 
all the Bibles, etc., which we shall need for the present." He 
settled in Saltillo and met with much favor among the people, 
especially in the way of building up educational facilities. He 
was first offered the position of teacher of English in the State 
College at Saltillo at twenty-five dollars per month for one 
hour per day. This gave him access to one hundred and 
fifty young men of the first families. 

Later he wrote : "This evening I administered baptism for 
the third time in two months. Yesterday a young gentleman, 
who is evidently a Christian, informed me that his whole fam- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 5 55 

ily are believers, and desired me to come and instruct them 
in the way of the Lord more perfectly. A very pious old gen- 
tleman remained after service last night to converse with us, 
and is evidently deeply concerned. But while God works Sa- 
tan is not idle. The Catholics are doing everything possible 
to drive me from our rented house. I do not propose to va- 
cate, and took precaution to provide against the enemy. 
While we were at worship on Sunday morning some of the 
devil's emissaries came to the window and spit on us. At 
night the crowd was very boisterous, and I thought they would 
have stoned us. When I asked persons who wished to join 
the church to come forward, one that spit on us approached to 
bring on some trouble. I talked so kindly about the neces- 
sity of saving his soul that he burst into tears and the mob dis 
persed. On Thursday the attendance was larger than usual, 
which incensed the crowd and they stoned the house. Some 
thought they intended to break in and kill us. The mayor 
provided police protection. The church resolved, 'That in 
connection with our recognition exercises next Sunday, Jan- 
uary 13, we would protract the services through the week.' 
Thank God for a protracted meeting in Saltillo! I am able 
now to speak freely in Spanish." In March, 1883, Dr. Pow- 
ell wrote: "I am now conducting three services in Spanish 
each Lord's day, besides two or three prayer meetings dur- 
ing the week. Our little band of believers are faithfully at 
work. The Holy Spirit is manifesting his power at almost 
every service." 

Through the influence and efforts of Dr. Powell, a large 
and valuable property in Saltillo was secured for the purpose of 
establishing a Baptist school. Dr. Tupper says: "This, 
though carefully guarded and perhaps not really liable to the 
objection, bore on its face the appearance of union between 
church and State, and might have made necessary a consider- 
able diversion of missionary funds for educational purposes, 
the plan as finally adopted is for the trustees appointed by 
the Board to buy outright, at its market value, certain prop- 
erty in Saltillo; to accept certain other property in the same 
city, as a donation from two private citizens, Senors Maas and 
Smith; to accept in the same way a building at Parras, the 
private property of Governor Madero, donated by him, and 



5 5 6 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

to rent a public building at Patos for the sum of one hundred 
dollars per annum. The trustees thus hold in fee simple prop- 
erty estimated to be worth one hundred thousand dollars; for 
which they pay twelve thousand dollars in cash, and will need 
to add some twenty thousand dollars in improvements and 
furniture. They will also hold property worth thirty thousand 
dollars at a rental of one hundred dollars per annum. The 
property at Saltillo embraces an unfinished temple, eighty by 
two hundred feet, with front of carved stone; the Marqueta, a 
quadrangular building of one hundred and fifty by two hun- 
dred feet, one story high, with court, fountain and arcade; and 
some lots on the Alameda, or public park. The temple was 
begun in 1805, and the work was suspended in 1810. It was 
subsequently sold for a theater, but is at present unoccupied. 
The estimate is that eight thousand dollars will fit it up— the 
front portions for the public meetings of the church at Saltillo, 
now greatly hindered by the inaccessibility and mean appear- 
ance of their place of worship, and the rear for recitation 
rooms." "With these facilities at their disposal the trustees 
propose to open forthwith an institution for the liberal edu- 
cation of young ladies." This splendid project materialized, 
and Madero Institute (named in honor of Governor Madero), 
at Saltillo, is a mighty lever in advancing Baptist influence 
and Baptist principles in the State of Coahuila, Mexico. Be^ 
sides this educational work which he organized and started, 
Dr. Powell is constantly traveling over Mexico, organizing 
churches, baptizing people, scattering Bibles and tracts and 
doing good generally. His energy is tireless, his zeal un- 
quenchable, and it is impossible to estimate the amount of 
good he has done in Mexico in letting in upon this people the 
blessed light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He may be very 
appropriately styled the apostle of Mexico, for lie has the true 
apostolic spirit. 

Theophilus Shuck Powell was born May 16, 1855. He re- 
ceived his collegiate education in Mississippi College, being 
graduated from that institution with the degree of A. B., and 
later receiving from it the degree of A. M. He entered the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 557 

in the fall of 1886, and spent three sessions in it, becoming a 
full graduate in June, 1889. He was ordained to the full work 
of the ministry by the Dry Creek church, Rankin county, Mis- 
sissippi, May 15, 1881, He was pastor of Zion Hill and 
Cana churches, Rankin county, and of Gum Springs, Simp- 
son county, in 1881. He was pastor of Bethany and Monti- 
cello churches, Lawrence county, of Bunker Hill, Marion 
county, and Solar, Covington county, from 1882 to 1886. 
He was pastor of Elizabeth church, Jefferson county, Indiana, 
in 1888. He was pastor of Coffee Creek, Lancaster and Kent 
churches, Indiana, in 1889 and 1890. In 1891 and 1892 he 
was pastor at Crothersville,. Indiana. During the present 
year, 1894, and last year, his field of labor has been Sellers- 
burg, Indiana. Mr. Powell is considered one of the brightest 
and most talented men ever graduated from Mississippi Col- 
lege. He commanded the respect and confidence of students 
and faculty. While in South Mississippi he wrote and pub- 
lished a book, "Four Years in South Mississippi," which is 
spoken of in the highest terms by Prof. W. H. Whitsitt, of the 
Seminary. Mr. Powell was highly esteemed while in the Sem- 
inary and his abilities were appreciated. It is worthy of re- 
mark that Mr. Powell, though so well fitted to fill any city pas- 
torate, has steadfastly confined his labors to country and vil- 
lage churches. Such, at least, was his course in Mississippi. 
This suggests that there are needed some men of talent who 
will consecrate themselves to the service of country churches. 

Cader Price was born in Georgia in 1800, and lived 
there until he was about twenty-one years of age. He then 
came to Mississippi, where he lived his days out and departed 
from this world in his seventy-fifth year. He entered the work 
of the ministry about the year 1837 or 1838, and was unedu- 
cated. He established in Rankin county four churches, at 
Brandon, Mill Creek, Steen's Creek and Dry Creek. While 
engaged in his ministerial work he educated himself, and 
,after he had spent most of his life he found himself compar- 
atively well educated, and was among the foremost Baptist 
preachers in his section of the State. For his arduous min- 
isterial labors he is said to have received almost absolutely 
no pay. He was of a very benevolent disposition. He went 



558 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



to a brother's house one day to see why he did not come to 
church. This brother's excuse was that he had no coat. Mr. 
Price himself had but one coat. He drew this off and handed 
it to his brother Christian. On another occasion he is said 
to have given a poor man the only horse he had. In truth 
he was always known as the kindest man to the poor in all 
the community. He was greatly beloved by all who knew 
him. His name and memory is said by one who knew him 
well to be fragrant in his old community and county. 

Sylvester Lemuel Price, 

the subject of this brief mem- 
oir, was the son of William 
Hardison and Harriet Redditt 
Price. He was born January 
21, 1830, and when' but a 
child his widowed mother 
with her two sons removed to 
the then comparatively new 
State of Mississippi, settling 
in Carroll county. Here he 
grew to manhood and in 1850, 
married Miss Martha Mat- 
thews, and the same year he 
and wife united with the Palu- 
sha (or Coila) Baptist church. 
The fruit of this union was 
three sons, one dying in in- 
fancy, and two, Charles G., and Richard C. Price, now men of 
families, residing in Carroll count}'. A few years of wedded 
happiness and his wife was called to her heavenly home. In 
1856, he married Miss Sue W. Thornton, of Clinton, Missis- 
sippi, and to them were born two sons, both dying in infancy. 
Mr. Price studied law with Robert Graham of Carrollton, 
Miss., but on account of farming interests never engaged in 
the practice of the legal profession. Feeling it his impera- 
tive duty to proclaim the blessed gospel of Christ, he was 
ordained to the ministry at Mt. Pisgah church. Carroll county, 
December, 1858. Revs. Henry Pittman and John A. Oliver 
assisting in the. ordination exercises. He was then pastor of 




REV. S. L. PRICE. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 559 

New Salem, or Liberty church, so long as his health allowed 
him to preach, and under his ministry many souls were 
brought to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus; 
and he often referred to that year as the happiest period of his 
life. He exhibited the character of an earnest Christian and 
minister and his purity of heart and lips, combined with a 
sweet magnetic power, influenced all who came in close con- 
tact with him. In 1859, it was clear he had been seized with 
that insidious disease, consumption, the progress of which 
was so rapid that in October, 1860, he was urged to leave 
home in search of relief by travel. Accompanied by his wife, 
he sought health in the wilds of Western Texas, but found 
only temporary occasional relief. The anxieties relative to 
that period of our country's history hastened' the end, and, 
with his sorrowing wife, he removed to the home of her ma- 
ternal uncle, Col. B. A. Risher, Austin, Texas, where, on the 
29th of July, 1861, he fell asleep in Jesus. Death had no 
terror for him, for he said, "I feel I have the presence of my 
Savior and can look beyond the sufferings of death to the 
peace and glory of heaven, and my soul is rilled with joy inex- 
pressible for the hope that is before me." And as he spoke 
his countenance glowed with brightness. He had come to 
the full assurance of salvation and could exclaim in triumph: 
"O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?'' 
And this was his happy estate when the last trying hour came, 
and he cried, "Heaven with all its joys will soon be my home, 
the Lord is my rod and my staff through the valley of the 
shadow of death. He will bear me safely through the rolling 
waters of Jordan to those mansions prepared for the children 
of God. Oh, ask me not to stay— call me not back but pray 
the Lord Jesus to come quickly." Good men die but their 
influence lives and its fruit eternity alone can reveal. 
Above his tomb the dust of many years, 
Well watered by bitter tears, 
Lies thick, — lies thick, and rank, up thro' it grows 
Many a sweet scented rose, 
Many a flower that in language plain 
Tells me my friend lives again. 
I know his influence like drops of rain, 
In bud and fruit lives asfain: 



5<3o MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Like rain — drops in river, in ocean wide; 
Rain-drops in the flowing tide 
Moving onward, resistless, free 
Living through Eternity. 
— Contributed by Mrs. Sue W. Price. 

J. L. Price was born October 25, 1863, and was reared 
on a county farm by his father, \Y. J. Price, a deacon of 
Moak's Creek church. His early life was made up of hard 
work and disobedience. He remained with his father until 
he was twenty years old during which time he felt that the 
Holy Spirit operated upon his heart and that he was born 
again. He knew he loved the things he once hated and 
hated the things he once loved. This occurred when he was 
about seventeen years of age. At about the age of twenty- 
seven he felt a heavy weight upon his heart that nothing but 
talking for God, and in thus talking feel that he was doing lvs 
duty, would relieve. But as he realized that he had no edu- 
cation, and that realization came upon him just at that time. 
that he could read only a little, he hesitated. But, he says, 
he has obtained very little up to this good hour. He was 
nevertheless impelled to go forward in duty. He was or- 
dained to the full work of the ministry July 10, 1892. He- 
was called to the care of Mount Pleasant church, Lincoln 
county, a few months later, the last of February, 180:;. He 
was recalled to this church the following September. At the 
same time he was called to the pastorate of Moak's Creek 
church. Lincoln county; to that of Antioch. LawTence county, 
in December: to that of Magee's Creek, Pike county, first of 
March. 1804. He is now (November, 1804.) in the 'first field 
of labor he ever had; and has baptized up to date seventeen 
persons and assisted in the ordination of one preacher and 
four deacons. 

Allison Perry Pugh was born in Edgefield county, South 
Carolina, February 26. 1850. He received his collegiate 
education in Richmond College, Ya.. and Furman Univer- 
sity. S. C. He was graduated from the latter institution with 
the degree of B. S.. In the fall of 1870 he entered the South- 
ern Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, Ky., and 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 561 

pursued his theological studies there during two sessions, 
until June, 1881, graduating in the principal English schools 
and in the Greek school. He was ordained to the full work 
of the ministry by the New Bethel church, York county, S. 
C, in March, 1874. He was pastor of the church at Carroll- 
ton, Miss., from 1881 until 1884. During his pastorate here 
he was greatly esteemed by the membership and community 
and his works was greatly blessed. It was during this pastor- 
ate that he paid a "hostage to fortune," marrying Miss Robbie 
Kimbrough, an accomplished and amiable young lady, who 
has been a true help-meet to him in his labors. Possessing 
a "hankering" for his native State, he listened to an invitation 
of a church from that direction and in 1884 became pastor 
of Rock Hill church, S. C, on his native heath. He remained 
in this pastorate until some time in 1886, when his accom- 
plished Mississippi wife, having a "hankering" for the old 
State, led him to consider favorably an invitation to return to 
Mississippi. He became pastor of the Lexington Baptist 
church in 1886 and remained in this pastorate quite a while, 
growing in the esteem and affection of his people. While 
in Lexington he led his people in the erection of an elegant 
and commodious church edifice, with baptistery, modern 
pews and furniture complete, costing about four thousand 
dollars. This church is a model of convenience and comfort 
and is creditable to the denomination and to the town of Lex- 
ington. Mr. Pugh resigned this pastorate early in 1892 in 
order to accept the pastorate of the important church in tin 
city of Pensacola, Fla. On reaching his new field of laboi 
he found that the interests of his church demanded at once 
a new house of worship. So he " pulled off his coat," figur- 
atively speaking, and at once embarked in another church 
building enterprise. He is still (Nov., 1894 ) earnestly at work 
in his Pensacola pastorate. 

D. I. Purser, D. D., was so long and favorably connected 
with Baptist affairs in Mississippi that no work of this kind 
would be complete without some mention of his work. Our 
impression is that he is a native of Copiah county, Miss., where 
the family have lived so long, and where they are so well and 
so favorably known. When we first met him he was a ma- 



562 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ture man, a widower, perhaps thirty-five or forty years of age. 
He was general evangelist in the State, in the employ of the 
State Mission Board, Dr. T. J. Walne, Secretary. He and 
" brother John" had just closed a revival meeting of great 
interest and power in the Kosciusko church, which we had 
also just visited and to whom Ave preached a few times. We 
were all in Durant, where Rev. A. V. Rowe was pastor, and 
were waiting for a north-bound passenger train to convey 
us to the Baptist State Convention in the city of Grenada. 
Knowing that he would have a number of visitors the pastor 
had arranged to have preaching in the Baptist church, as 
there would be ample time before the train would be due. It 
fell to the lot of D. I. Purser to preach. Nothing of the line 
of thought, nor the text, is remembered, but the impression 
remains that it was a timely and helpful sermon, We next 
met Mr. Purser in a revival meeting in the city of Starkville. 
We heard only a few sermons, having to leave on account of 
engagements, but among them was his famous sermon con- 
cerning Belshazzar's feast. Later, in Okolona, we heard Irs 
sermon on the expression, " Past feeling," which seemed a 
just and forcible discusion of the condition of persons who 
sin so long that they cannot feel, and was well adapted as an 
awakening sermon. His evangelistic work in Mississippi, in 
which " brother John" usually, though not always, accom- 
panied him, was greatly blessed and a very large number of 
persons, through this instrumentality were brought into the 
churches. 

Leaving Mississippi Mr. Purser became pastor in Bir- 
mingham, Ala., about the year 1883. In Birmingham he 
largely built up, and was for a number of years pastor of, the 
First Baptist church. While there, early in his pastorate he 
was married to Miss Sallie Moody, daughter of Judge Moody, 
of Tuskaloosa, Ala., who brought as her dowry a handsome 
fortune, her father being a banker and wealthy and having 
recently died. Mr. Purser received the honorary degree of 
D. D. Howard College having been removed from Marion, 
Ala., to East Lake, Birmingham, Dr. Purser was selected as 
financial agent for the college. Into this work he threw his 
energy and succeeded in getting the college finances in better 
shape and materially increasing the endowment. While in 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 5 6 3 

Birmingham Dr. Purser conceived and inaugurated an Ala- 
bama Chatauqua, or a summer school of theological lectures 
for the benefit of preachers who had never enjoyed the ad- 
vantages of a course of Biblical training. These were quite 
successful. A number of eminent Biblical scholars delivered 
lectures in the course for two summers, and quite a number of 
ministers gathered to receive 1 the advantages of the course, 
among them several from Mississippi. These have expressed 
themselves as greatly benefited by the lectures. Dr. Purser 
was widely known and greatly influential in Alabama, perhaps 
as much so as any minister in the State. In 1893, however, 
listened to an invitation to come to the Crescent City, New 
Orleans, and to become pastor of the Valence Street Baptist 
church. He came and is now (November, 1894) the esteemed 
pastor of that church in New Orleans. He was honored at the 
last meeting of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention in being 
made president of that body. He presided with grace and 
ability and made an excellent presiding officer, 

John F. Purser is a native of Copiah county, Miss. He re- 
ceived his collegiate education in Mississippi College. Fin- 
ishing his literary course he traveled several years in the evan- 
gelistic work in Mississippi, in connection with his brother, 
Rev. D. I. Purser. They were both employed by the State 
Mission Board, and during their term of service visited and 
conducted revival meetings with almost all of the village, 
town and city churches in the State. Their labors were greatly 
blessed in these revival services and large numbers were added 
to the membership of the churches. He entered the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., in the fall of 
1882, and spent the larger portion of the three following ses- 
sions in the Seminary, pursuing his theological studies, until 
June, 1885, when he received the diploma of English graduate 
of the Seminary. A short time thereafter he became pastor 
of the First Baptist church, Troy, Alabama. Here he contin- 
ued ably and successfully for a term of years, until, in 1893, 
he received and accepted a call to the pastorate of the First 
Baptist church in the city of New Orleans, La. In this pastor- 
ate he is at present (1894) engaged. Mr. Purser is a fine mu- 
sician and is gifted in sacred song. In all the evangelistic 



564 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

meetings conducted by himself and his brother he has been 
exceedingly helpful in conducting the song services. It is a 
matter of regret that we have secured so little data of his life 
work. 

Robert H. Purser was burn in Copiah county, Miss., Feb- 
ruary 16, 1S45, his father being Frederick and his mother be- 
ing Beuneter Purser. He is a brother of D. I. and John F. 
Purser, just mentioned, and there is still another brother who 
is a preacher. The mother of these four preacher sons still 
lives and is happy in the good they are accomplishing. Rob- 
ert's opportunity for an education was poor, the cruel war com- 
ing just at the right time to rob him of that boon. He spent 
two years in the Confederate army and was once, at Port Hud- 
son, under the enemy's guns for forty-nine days and nights. 
He remained in the army until the close of hostilities. Dur- 
ing the war he made a profession of religion and joined Da- 
mascus Baptist church, Copiah county, Miss., in August, 
1864, and was baptized by Rev. W. B. Gallman. He was at 
home on furlough at the time. In December, 186S, he was 
married to Miss Sarah Tillman, since which time they have 
walked life's pathway together enjoying many blessings from 
God. They have seven children living, and two have passed 
over the dark river. He was licensed to preach the gospel in 
September, 1871. and was ordained by Damascus church the 
following February. His first pastorate was New Providence 
church, Copiah county, which church called him to ordination. 
In 1873 he was appointed missionary by the Mission Board 
of Union Association and preached during that year in Frank- 
lin and Adams counties, Miss. During that year he had the 
pleasure of baptizing between forty and fifty professed be- 
lievers in Christ. The following year he moved to Copiah 
county and became pastor of churches in the country and at 
the same time fanned on a small scale. From 1873 until 
1870 he preached as pastor to Xew Hope, Pine Bluff, Spring 
Hill, Sardis, Pilgrim's Rest, Hopewell, Xew Zion and Da- 
mascus churches. During these years he was permitted to 
baptize hundreds of Christ's professed followers. He has of- 
ten wished since that he had kept a record of those whom he 
baptized, whom he united in marriage and whom he buried. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 565 

but now it is impossible to give the numbers correctly. In 
preaching Mr. Purser has never lost a congregation; but on 
the contrary, they have always increased. 

In 1879 he was called to the pastorate of the Wesson Bap- 
tist church, where he has labored continuouly until the pres- 
ent, and where he is now (Nov. 1894) the esteemed pastor. The 
church then numbered about two hundred and seventy-five 
members. Now it has a membership of seven hundred and 
fifty and is the largest church numerically in the State. The 
church then worshiped in an old barn-shaped building; now 
they have a modern building, well arranged, with a seating 
capacity of seven hundred. He has baptized during his four- 
teen years' pastorate there about an average of fifty converts 
per year. He has often held his own meetings. He usually 
has his house well filled, and often crowded. His church ob- 
serves the Lord's Supper once each month, holds monthly con- 
ferences — the conferences consist usually of reading- minutes, 
a report of deacons' meeting (held monthly), a report of stand- 
ing committee on fellowship, a report from relief committee 
(whose duty it is to look after the poor and distressed). The 
conferences are short and without friction. The saddest part 
of his work has been amongst the sick and dying. He has 
frequently stood by the open grave as often as seven times 
each week. In February, 1894, he wrote: "We are passing 
through a severe ordeal now in consequence of the 'shutting 
down' of the Mississippi Mills. It has been with great effort 
on the part of our more fortunate members that the wolf has 
been kept from many doors in our town. I said to my peo- 
ple, We will stand together until "the storm passes by." ' Our 
church has been in line with our general work." 

Ambrose Ray, the subject of this sketch, was born in Union 
district, S. C, in 1798. His early life was one of such hard- 
ships as were incident to that period. He was first married 
to Mary Garrett, of the same county, or district. Very mea- 
ger educational opportunities were afforded him, and really 
he was taught to read by his wife. Under such educational 
embarrassments he stoutly resisted a call to the ministry for 
nearly six years. Just in the prime of manhood he yielded to 
his call to the ministry and was ordained to the full work of 



566 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the same by Paget Creek church, in his native district, in the 
year 1833, about. From love for Christ and interest in the 
salvation of souls, he was very earnest and made great progress 
in his studies and ministerial efficiency. In South Carolina 
he labored in connection with' Mimms, Furman, Landrum, 
Hodges and others of precious memory. His influence was 
soon felt almost throughout his native State. After a success- 
ful ministry of seventeen years, in 1850, he moved to Missis- 
sippi and settled in Alcorn county, where he spent the remain- 
der of his days. In this new field he was associated in labor 
with the Balls, Holcombe, Lowrey, Booth and Gambrell. It 
may be said to his credit that he never blushed when called a 
Graves Baptist, for he loved and honored our lamented Dr. 
Graves. He held prominent relations to the old Chickasaw 
and Tippah Associations, and by these bodies was frequently 
honored with the moderator's chair. He was one of the pil- 
lars of old Mary Washington College in the days of Dr. Slack, 
and was ever ready to advance the cause of education by his 
means, influence or patronage. It may be said of him that 
when you secured his prayers you reached his money, for the 
two were never very far separated. He stood firm in his con- 
victions during the civil war and sustained thereby irreparable 
loss in his personal estate; but nothing daunted his courage 
or diminished his zeal in the gospel ministry. He steadfastly 
believed in presenting his body "a living sacrifice to God," 
and counted it altogether "a reasonable service/' He lost his 
first wife and was married the second time to a Mrs. Stewart. 
Some few characteristics of this man's life deserve special no- 
tice. His family discipline was unexcelled; as a financier he 
had few equals; as to his personal walk and conversation, it 
was considered unimpeachable. Promptness was specially 
characteristic of his life; and accuracy in scriptural quota- 
tions was accredited to him to that extent that his simple 
quotation put an end to all controversy. He was indeed a 
man of great power, but the secret of his power lay chiefly in 
his model life, associated with his constant and vigorous ef- 
forts to advance every cause he espoused. He seemed to be 
conscious of his approaching dissolution, and remarked to 
loved ones, "It is better for me to depart and be with Christ." 
A few moments before his death he repeated the words of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS 567 

Paul : "For I am now ready- to be offered, and the time of 
my departure is at hand; I have fought a good fight, I have 
finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is 
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the 
righteous Judge shall give unto me at that day; and not to 
me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." He 
left a large circle of relatives and friends who are delighted to 
cherish his memory and honor his example in the world. 

In August, 1873, surrounded by weeping loved ones, he 
closed his eyes in death. His remains were carried into 
Union church, Tippah county, which was planted by his self- 
sacrificing life and nurtured by his prayers and tears, and his 
funeral was preached by his fellow-laborer, C. B. Young, from 
the words he last spoke, given above. The remains were then 
interred in the city of the dead, near by, to await the sound of 
the trumpet. — Contributed by B. F. Whitten. 

James Ray. moved from Alabama to Attala county, Miss., 
about 1850. He was then an ordained Baptist preacher, about 
fifty years of age; was a very poor man as to this world's 
goods; of very limited education; but seemed to be a man 
of earnest piety. He lived for some years in Attala and Wins- 
ton counties, preaching to various churches around as oppor- 
tunity was afforded, following at the same time his vocation 
of farming and carpentering. He died at a rather advanced 
age, respected and loved as a sincere and honest Christian. 

Leon T. Ray. "Onnie" Ray, as he was called by his 
friends in childhood, was born in Union district, South Caro- 
lina, March 6, 1853. In his early boyhood his father moved 
to Tippah county, Miss., and settled near Jonesborough, 
about two miles from where the village of Chalybeate now 
stands. He worked on a farm during his boyhood and at- 
tended the country schools for a few months at a time as he 
had opportunity. At the age of eighteen he professed faith 
in Christ and was baptized into Union church by his uncle, 
Rev. Ambrose Ray. From early boyhood to the day of his 
death he lived an irreproachable life and held the unqualified 
confidence of all who knew him. 

Soon after he became of age he was licensed to preach by 



568 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Union Baptist church. He attended Blue Mountain Male 
Academy for two years, then taught for a while and then at- 
tended Mississippi College, at Clinton, for two years. Both 
at the academy and at college he was noted for his devotion to 
duty, and seemed to exert a larger Christian influence than 
any other student in school. After leaving college he located 
at Ripley and preached for one year to the church at that 
place, and to two country churches. On August 2, 1882, he 
was married to Miss Linnie Lowrey, the fourth daughter of 
Gen. M. P. Lowrey. During the years 1883 and 1884, he was 
pastor at Senatobia, but was forced by failing health to give 
up the church and move back to the quiet of country life. 
When he left Senatobia, Ex-Lieut. Governor G. D. Shands 
made the remark that no purer man ever walked the streets 
of Senatobia. His pre-eminent characteristic was his Christ- 
likeness. He had hoped that with light work in the country 
he might regain his health, but he gradually grew worse, and 
on July the third, 1885, his spirit took its flight. He left a 
wife and little daughter. His attractive, impressive and 
scriptural sermons, his devotion to duty and his lovable char- 
acter are fondly remembered by all who knew him. 

S. O. Y. Ray was born near Camden, Wilcox county, Ala., 
October 1, 1817. He was next to the youngest of seventeen 
children, was the youngest of eight sons, three of whom be- 
came Baptist ministers. The eight sons were in the Confeder- 
ate army and not one of them was killed or wounded. The 
subject of this sketch was baptized into the fellowship of 
Mount Hope church, near Camden, Ala., in July, 1807, and 
was married to Miss Josephine Tate, a most estimable Chris- 
tian lady, in 1869. While engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
Choctaw county, Ala., he received impressions to preach the 
gospel, but being of doubtful mind as to the genuineness of 
the call to preach the gospel he hesitated for a length of time. 
Finally, however, he yielded to the impression and was or- 
dained to the work of the gospel ministry December 25, 
1875. For more than eight years his field of labor was within 
the bounds of Southwest Liberty Association, Ala. Two 
years of that time were spent in missionary work, under ap- 
pointment jointly of the said Association and the Alabama 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 569 

State Mission Board. This was about the beginning of a 
wonderful revival of the spirit of missions which swept over 
that part of the State. The leading spirits in arousing this 
spirit of gospel evangelism were Rev. O. D. Bowen, of Mis- 
sissippi, and Rev. P. E. Kirvin, of Alabama. It was during 
this great awakening that Mr. Ray girded on the armor for 
aggressive warfare upon the fields of spiritual conflict, and 
the fiery zeal and abundant labors which characterized his life 
and operations among the people of that country and which 
continued unabated through subsequent years, brought him 
prominently before the brotherhood of Mississippi. 

Mr. Ray moved to Enterprise, Miss., in 1884, and engaged 
in evangelistic work under appointment of our Mississippi 
State Mission Board, and continued in that work for six years. 
His field was the southeastern portion of the State. Four 
years were given for the most part along the line of the New 
Orleans and Northeastern Railway, during which time he or- 
ganized eight churches, situated in the towns of Hattiesburg, 
Eastabouchie, Tuscanola, Laurel, Sandersville, Heidleburg, 
Vossburg and Narkuta. He built houses of worship in all 
these towns except in Eastabouchie. He also built houses of 
worship for the churches at Stonewall and State Line on the 
Mobile and Ohio Railway, and built the Rawls Springs High 
School building, which is located near Hattiesburg. He col- 
lected for all purposes about ten thousand dollars and traveled 
about thiry-five thousand miles. During these six years he 
held meetings in the counties of Marion, Lawrence, Perry, 
Jones, Clarke, Jasper, Lauderdale, Kemper and Noxubee. 
About nine hundred persons were added to the churches 
where he labored. Having finished the work committed to 
his hands in this Mississippi field, Mr. Ray accepted a call to 
the pastorate of Palmetto Street Baptist church, Mobile, Ala- 
bama, in 1889, and continued in that pastorate until Novem- 
ber, 1891. His work in Mobile was successful. About one 
hundred persons were added to the church, the church build- 
ing thoroughly repaired, a pastor's home built and the church 
for the first time in its history became self-supporting. Hav- 
ing- resigned the pastorate in Mobile, he accepted an appoint- 
ment from our Mississippi State Convention Board to work 
within the bounds of the Chickasahay Association and in the 



570 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

country contiguous to it. He continued in this work for one 
year. The labors of this faithful servant were most helpful 
and uplifting to the churches and strengthening to weak 
places. One hundred and thirty persons united with the 
churches where he labored. Having closed the year's work 
in Mississippi he accepted the position of State evangelist for 
the southern part of Alabama, and entered that field January 
1, 1893. 

The foregoing is a brief synopsis of the work and visible 
results of the labors of this untiring and laborious servant of 
Christ. But few who have labored in the gospel have been 
so active, industrious and energetic as he. His consecrated 
life and courageous faith have received the reward of Him 
whose blessing descends upon the faithful laborer. Air. Ray 
is endowed with fine common sense and is a marvel as an or- 
ganizer of forces and of laying the foundations for church ex- 
tension. He is an humble, unpretentious man, a Baptist with 
pronounced views and strong convictions. He is a plain, 
earnest preacher. His sermons are pointed and forceful. To 
the faithful wife of this beloved brother belongs much praise. 
She has been to her husband a help-meet indeed. She has 
borne with Christian fortitude and peaceful resignation the 
cares and trials of the preacher's wife, and her self-sacrificing 
spirit for Jesus' sake has encouraged her husband in the good 
work, and enabled him to go forth untrammeled into the har- 
vest field of immortal souls. To her observing Lord and not 
to this poor world will she look for her enduring praise- 
Contributed by Rev. O. D. Bowen. 

W. K. Red was born and reared on a farm near Shubuta, 
Miss. His father, D. R. Red, Sr., and his mother, Margaret 
Keahey Red, were both Mississippians. Their parents came 
from North Carolina. There were six children in their fam- 
ily, only three of whom are living, and our subject was the 
next youngest of these six children. His father's property 
was swept away by the civil war which left him no advantages 
of an education. In 1883, at the age of fourteen, he made a 
profession of religion, united with a Baptist church and was 
baptized by Rev. C. M. Partin into the fellowship of Harmony 
church, of which his father and brother and sister are still 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 571 

members. His mother died in the fall of 1885. He began 
preaching in 1884, and to prepare himself better, entered Mis- 
sissippi College in 1885. He was compelled to leave college 
in the spring of 1887 because of ill health. He was called 
at once to the pastorate of Sonenlovie church. He was called 
to ordination, and served this church until the fall of 1889, 
when he resigned to enter college again. He was compelled 
in 1890, to leave college again because of ill helth. He was 
then called to the pastoral care of his old home church, and 
was pastor of this church the remainder of the year. During 
the summer he conducted some meetings which were real re- 
vival seasons, and was invited to the care of the Augusta, 
Miss., and four country churches. In the spring of 1891 he 
was married to Miss Belle L. Johnson, of Hazlehurst, Miss., 
who had attended the Industrial Institute and College, at Co- 
lumbus, two years. In the following fall he was elected prin- 
cipal of the Hopewell High School and Mrs. Red as his assist- 
ant. In the fall of 1892 he entered the Southern Baptist The- 
ological Seminary. He came home in the spring of 1893. 
He was then called to the care of the church at Andalusia, 
Ala. During one year's pastorate the membership increased 
from one hundred and nineteen to one hundred and forty-five. 
In the summer of 1894 Mr. Red returned to Mississippi and 
is now (November, 1894) connected with the; "Baptist Re- 
cord," as a field agent, and also engages in evangelistic labors, 
in which he has been successful. 

E. Redus made a profession of religion and united with the 
Methodist church in 1853. Although early impressed with 
the duty of preaching he resisted that impression more than 
twenty years, but at length became a Methodist minister. 
Feeling it to be his duty to investigate the doctrines of his 
church more thoroughly, he began this work in earnest, and 
soon became so much dissatisfied with those doctrines that 
he gave them up, and, with his wife and two grown daughters, 
joined the Salem Baptist church. Soon after his baptism he 
was licensed and then ordained as a Baptist minister in 1870. 
Since that time he has lived in and near Starkville and has been 
very useful in preaching to the neighboring churches, for he 
is a very earnest preacher. In 1880, in his home in Starkville, 



^2 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

he quietly and peacefully fell on sleep and joined the "silent 
majority." 

Zachariah Reeves was a minister of distinction and note in 
the early days of the Baptists in South Mississippi. He was 
born in South Carolina in 1799, and moved to Pike county, 
Miss., in 1811. It was after his removal to this State that he 
first had impressions to preach. Yielding to these he entered 
fully upon the work of the ministry about the year 1832 or 
1833. His native ability was of a high order and he was a man 
of much force in his work and wielded a very great influence 
in his section of the State. In looking over a file of the min- 
utes of Mississippi Association we find that he was quite a po- 
tential factor in its work. He was made its moderator a num- 
ber of years, possibly more than twenty years. He organized 
a number of churches in the southern portion of the State, and 
was abundant in every kind of labor which looked to the ex- 
tension of the Redeemer's kingdom. He died full of faith 
and in the strength of the "blessed hope," in the year 1871, 
greatly honored. 

S. S. Relyea "was burn in New York in 1822; spent two 
years at Waterville College, Maine, and graduated at New 
York City University in 1846, and Hamilton Theological 
Seminary in 1819. After filling a number of important pas- 
torates in Xew York he removed to Mississippi, and subse- 
quently to Louisiana, where he was actively employed in teach- 
ing and preaching; he was nine years in charge of Stilliman In- 
stitute, Clinton, La.; eight years at Woodland Institute, East 
Feliciana parish, La. Subsequently he returner! to Mississippi, 
and became connected with a school at McComb City, Miss., 
and associate editor of the "Southern Baptist." He died in 
1877. He left a manuscript work on church polity." — Bap. 
Encyc. p. OHO. Some time since Dr. C. H. Otken, of Summit, 
wrote us: "You ought by all means to have something of 
S. S. Relyea." It is a source of regret that we have only this 
meager notice given in the Encyclopaedia. Mr. Relyea was 
a man of large culture, of breadth of thought, of eminent pi- 
ety, and of wide influence in Pike and surrounding counties, 
indeed, throughout the State. We, though one of the younger 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 573 

men, remember quite well the estimation in which he was 
held. 

T. N. Rhymes was born February 3, 185 1, near old County 
Line church in Hinds county, Miss. His childhood, until he 
was fourteen years of age, was spent on a farm in Simpson 
county, Miss., where his early education was received in pri- 
vate schools. In December, 1865, he moved with his father, 
L. J. Rhymes, to Crystal Springs, Copiah county, Miss., 
where the next five years of his life were spent in part as a mer- 
cantile clerk in his father's store. During these five years he 
prepared himself for college, passing through the Crystal 
Springs Academy, and delivering the valedictory address, 
which was a high honor, with credit to himself, in June, 1870. 
In September, 1867, he professed faith in Christ and was bap- 
tized into the fellowship oi the Crystal Springs Baptist church 
by Rev. S. G. Mullins, who was joint pastor of the church 
with Rev. C. B. Freeman. He was led to repentance and faith 
through the agency of his own father two years before he 
made a public profession in baptism. Almost immediately 
after his baptism he began to feel impressions of duty to 
preach the gospel, and these impressions were deepened by 
reading Wayland's "Principles and Practices of Baptists," 
which book was placed in his hands by J. Story Taylor, now 
of Dallas, Texas. Taylor was then a clerk in L. J. Rhymes' 
store. The counsel and advice of this faithful layman had 
much to do with shaping the life of T. N. Rhymes. Some 
time in 1870 Rev. James Nelson preached a sermon in Crys- 
tal Springs Baptist church from the Scripture contained in 
Matt. 9: 37, 38. This sermon made a profound impression 
on this young man, and finally determined him to make a 
profession of his call to the ministry and to declare his inten- 
tion to give himself to preaching the gospel. 

He matriculated in Mississippi College in the spring of 
1871, and graduated in June, 1875, with the degree of A. B. 
He spent the next two sessions in the Southern Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary, at Greenville, S. C, taking diplomas in 
seven schools of that institution. On his return from the Sem- 
inary in 1877, he accepted the pastoral care of the Yazoo City 
church, which he served for two years. In the spring of 1879 



574 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

he accepted mission work under the State Mission Board of 
Louisiana, in the Bayou Macon Association, the swamp coun- 
try of Louisiana. Under the stress of a malarial climate he 
was forced to abandon that work in the fall; when he accepted 
a call to the pastoral care of country churches in Tate county, 
Miss., which he served during the year 1880. In 1881 he re- 
turned to Louisiana and served as pastor of country churches 
in Franklin parish. On February 22, 1881, he was married 
to Miss Bettie W. Toler, daughter of judge P. H. Toler, of 
Rayville, La. From 1882 until 1885 he was pastor of Alto 
and Rayville churches, and in 1886, of Alto and Oak Ridge 
churches. In June, 1886, he passed his examination before 
the Supreme Court, at Monroe, La., and was admitted to the 
bar as practicing attorney. His time during the next four 
years was divided between preaching and the practice of law. 
Finally becoming convinced that a secular calling was claim- 
ing too much of his time he left Louisiana, and, in 1892 ac- 
cepted the pastorate of old White Oak church, in Copiah 
county, Miss. In January, 1893, he received an invitation to 
and accepted the pastorate of the Kosciusko Baptist church' 
Kosciusko, Miss., and of the French Camp and Sallis churches. 
In this pastorate he is now (November, 1891) successfully at 
work, held in the warmest esteem by his people and the com- 
munity generally. 

Joel D. Rice was born in Lawrence county, Ala., Sep- 
tember 24, 1S43. In 1871 he was licensed to preach in the 
Methodist Episcopal church, South. He had been a member 
of that organization since 1865. A few vears afterwards, in 
studying, the better to prepare himself for his work, he became 
convinced that he had never been baptized, and so had no au^ 
thonty to preach; in fact, did not even belong to a scriptur- 
ally organized church. He tried for some time to drive away 
these impressions, but like Aunt Jemimvs plaster, "the more 
he tried to drive them off the more they stuck the faster." Af- 
ter much distress of mind he at last determined to settle the 
matter once for all, in following the plain commands of the 
Bible m reference to baptism. In 1881 his dear wife and he 
were baptized by Isham G. Melton; and were received into 
full fellowship with Ashland Missionary Baptist church. In a 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 575 

short time he was ordained to the full work of the gospel min- 
istry by the same church, Elds. J. H. Oswald, Jackson, and 
J. R. Sumner being the presbytery. He now felt perfectly 
satisfied and as happy as a new born babe in Christ. He felt 
assured that he had followed the blessed Savior in baptism. He 
had been truly buried with Christ by baptism unto the death of 
sin. He had repented long ago. He had believed long ago, 
but had been living out of the church. He cannot express his 
feelings in words, in his new relationship as a baptized believer. 
There was not the shadow of a doubt. There was not a fleck 
of cloud athwart his pathway and his love was of that character 
that made it sweet and pleasant to think of doing service for 
his dear Lord. He was happy and the cross, the precious 
cross, was the most delightful burden he ever tried to bear. It 
is still very dear to him and his faith is stronger, his hope is 
brighter, his aim is higher and his vision clearer "than when 
he first begun." Every rising and setting of the sun, like the 
onward progress of a grand old ship, brings him nearer the 
port of endless rest and the day when Jesus shall come without 
Sin unto Salvation. He has served seven different churches, 
Ashland, Bethel,, Charleston, Ascalmore, Mt. Pisgah, Garner 
and Spring Hill. He has served Ashland continuously since 
his ordination, and has been called for the fourteenth year. 
He has been serving this church two Sundays for three years. 
He preaches to three other churches. He says, "For what I 
have done and for what I may do and for what I am, I am 
thankful to God. It is by His power alone that I stand, not 
for merit in, but through the merits of the atoning blood of the 
Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, to whose name be all 
the praise, honor and glory through the influence of the Holy 
Spirit both now and forever. Amen." 

John Richardson. Another saint has gone to rest. Al- 
most the closing hours of 1892 our heart was made very sad 
indeed when a message came for us to attend the burial service 
of dear Brother Richardson. 

Rev. John Richardson was born in Lancaster county. 
South Carolina, December 9, 1830; married Miss Bettie Boyd, 
February 14, 1857; died of heart trouble, December 30, 1892, 
at his home near Wall Hill, Miss., aged sixty-two years. He 



57^ MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

professed faith in Christ at the age of ten, and united with the 
M. E. church. At the age of twenty-five he united with the 
Baptist church at Tyro, Miss., and was baptized by Rev. Jas. 
Dennis, 1862. Was ordained to the regular work of the Bap- 
tist ministry at New Hope church, which he served as pastor 
twenty-five years, and died a member of the same. Revs. C. 
B. Young and James Rodgers assisted in his ordination. In 
the winter of 1891 his sufferings were very great; he thought 
he wouldn't live long, and requested Rev. W. M. Gordon and 
Rev. T. T. Carter to conduct the funeral service at his death, 
and W. W. Perry, W. J. Jamison, W. E. Grady, R. B. Harris 
and W. B. Jackson to place his remains in the grave. Both the 
ministers and three of the five brethren were present when he 
did die. Another light gone out to shine brighter into the 
perfect day. He didn't remember the! number he baptized, 
but if each soul he turned from darkness into light represents 
a star in his crown, will there not be many? He served thirty- 
one years in the ministry. Was teacher in the public schools 
quite awhile and had good influence there. Brother Richard- 
son leaves a wife, four daughters and two sons, besides many 
friends, with sad hearts. All of his family except two sons are 
members of the church. We say to the wife and daughters, 
be faithful awhile longer, in His own time God will take you 
to meet husband and father; to the boys, trust in Christ, read 
the Bible and obey its commands and the time will come when 
the family will be united in that happy home "Over there." 
Begin now to live to spend eternity with your father and the 
God he served. In behalf of the family I will say: 

A precious one from us has gone, 
A voice we loved is stilled. 

A place is vacant in our home. 
Which never can be filled. 
Oh! sad! sad! we will never see his face here. Sweet 
thought that he has left toiling and suffering for that happy 
home "Over there." He would frequently say he enjoyed 
home religion. Often has the writer heard him say, "though 
I suffer in the flesh, all is well with the inner man. — Gordon. 

John M. Ritchie was born in Lawrence county, Missis- 
sippi, April 28, 1836. He was married August 2, 1857. Some 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 577 

years later he professed faith in Christ and united with a Bap- 
tist church in August, 1870. Feeling immediately a call to the 
ministry he was ordained to that work in July, 1871, Revs. W. 
H. Bailey and T. J. Hutson constituting the presbytery. He 
was called to the pastorate of Saron church in 1871, and 
preached for that church as pastor two years. He was called 
to the care of old Piedmont church, Jefferson county, Miss,, 
in 1872, but resigned the care of that church in July of the same 
year. In 1874 he was called to the care of Shady Grove 
church and served them one year. He was called to the care 
of Union church, Lincoln county, Miss., in 1878, and served 
that church twelve years. He was called to the care of Friend- 
ship church in 1880 and served that church six years. He 
assisted in the organization of New Hope church, Lawrence 
county, in February, 1886, was called to the care of New Hope 
church and served that church six years. He was invited to 
the pastorate of Oak Grove church in 1889 and served this 
church one year. Three years previous to this, May 7, 1886, 
he lost his wife. On October 12, 1886, he married again, feel- 
ing it to be impossible to live alone. He removed from Lin- 
coln to Marion county in 1891 and served as Sunday-school 
colporteur during the year 1892, under the direction and pa- 
tronage of the American Baptist Publication Society and the 
Sunday-school Convention of the Pearl River Association. 
Later he was called to the pastorate of Black Jack Grove, 
Marion county, and served that church during 1893; and is 
preaching at a mission during this year (1894). He says : "I 
was raised on a farm and have no education except such as I 
could obtain myself by hard study at such times as leisure per- 
mitted. Notwithstanding that, my labors have been abund- 
antly blessed of the Lord. Every church I ever served as 
pastor, except two, was revived and increased in membership. 
Brother J. E. Thigpen and I served one year in Fair River As- 
sociation all our spare time in reviving the Sunday-school 
work, and made a report to the Association as the minutes will 
show." 

The above is only a brief outline of this earnest man's 
work ; its full measure will only be known in eternity. 

W. H. Robert, D. D M was born in Hampton county, South 



578 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Carolina, July 15, 1821. His father, Deacon James Jehu Ro- 
bert, was a lineal descendant of Rev. Pierre Robert, who, with 
a Huguenot company of French Protestant refugees, settled 
at Santee colony, Craven county, South Carolina, and served 
the church there as pastor from 1685 until 1715. Deacon Jehu 
Robert was a large and prosperous planter, owning several 
thousand acres of land on the waters of Black Swamp, a tribu- 
tary of the Savannah river. He resided about two miles from 
the Huguenot village of Robertville, where the church and 
school were located. He raised nine sons and four daughters. 
The three oldest of his sons were ministers of the gospel. W. 
H. Robert, the youngest of the three, was baptized into the 
membership of Robertville church by his brother, Dr. Jos. T. 
Robert, then pastor, on November 15, 1835. He was educated 
at South Carolina University, at Columbia. He married Miss 
Georgia Clark, a daughter of J. W. Clark, of Columbia, and 
settled down to the life of a planter. In 1S41 he entered the 
ministry, preaching from his home to the destitute churches 
around. He was called to ordination, as an evangelist, by the 
advice of his pastor, Dr. T. Rambaut, and on July 26, 184(1, at 
Robertville church, was ordained by a council of five minister- 
ing brethren, of which his second brother, Dr. Lawrence T. 
Robert, was a member. It has been the glory of his life to 
preach the gospel to the young, and to the poor. He has held 
three important city pastorates ; that of the First Baptist church, 
Atlanta, Ga., of the Baptist church in Marietta, Ga., and of the 
First Baptist church in Little Rock, Ark. While engaged in 
teaching in the colleges at Griffin, Cassville, and La Grange, 
Ga., from Sabbath to Sabbath he preached to the destitute 
churches in reach. And in his work as instructor of theology 
to colored ministers and deacons for two or three years since 
the war and as Sunday-school evangelist to the children in 
Arkansas, Georgia and Texas, as well as his mission to the sol- 
diers during the war, lie has had very many delightful seasons 
of enjoyment in preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ. 
Burying his first wife in Arkansas in 1870, the devoted Chris- 
tian woman, the mother of his children — Eloise, the wife of 
Rev. C. T. Scaife, of South Carolina, who died in early life; 
Dr. Joseph C. Robert, of Centreville, Miss.; Dr. W. H. Robert 
druggist in Denison, Texas; Dr. James Jehu Robert, of Hills- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 579 

boro, Texas; and Mrs. Sallie P. Whitaker, wife of I. W. Whita- 
ker, of Wilkinson county, Miss. — he married Mrs. Antoinette 
E. Power, the youngest child of Temple and Nancy Lea, of 
Marion, Ala. She was a woman of marked piety and intelli- 
gence, and for the last ten or twelve years was the solace of his 
old age. He lives now (1894) at Centreville, Miss. 

Norvell Robertson "was born in Warren county, Ga., 
November 14, 1796. His father, also named Norvell, was a 
Virginian by birth. On reaching manhood, he moved South 
and settled in Georgia. In the year 1804 he was called by his 
church to the work of the ministry. For fifty-one years he was 
an earnest and faithful Baptist preacher. He was called home 
to his reward in his ninety-first year. His ministerial life was 
spent in the States of Georgia and Mississippi. The son, 
Norvell, moved at an early day to Lawrence county, Missis- 
sippi, was converted in 1830, and a year later he was baptized 
by his father into the fellowship of Leaf River Baptist church. 
Bethany church, in the neighborhood of which he was teach- 
ing, and to which he moved his membership, a few months . 
after this set him at liberty to preach. The same church, in 
January, 1833, set him apart, by ordination, to the full work of 
the gospel ministry. Twelve months later he was called to the 
pastoral care of this church, and has continued in the same 
position for about forty-one years. Nothing could ever tempt 
him to leave this country church. In 1835 he married Miss N. 
J. Cannon, who has been a faithful and worthy companion. 
Three little infants have gone up from the family circle to the 
paradise of God. Of the seven remaining children, the father 
has baptized all but one. 'Father Robertson/ as he is fami- 
liarly called by those who know him, has never enjoyed good 
health. The weight of years is pressing heavily upon him; 
and this work is very likely the last contribution we shall ever 
have from his pen. That it may be greatly blessed of God, and 
that the author may live to see the fruit of his labor, is the 
prayer of his brother in Christ, W. D. Mayfield." So wrote 
Dr. W. D. Mayfield, in Memphis, Tenn., November 1, 1874, 
in his "Introduction" of the "Church-Members ? Hand-Book of 
Theology," by Norvell Robertson, and published, in 1874, by 
the Southern Baptist Publication Society, Memphis. This 



580 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Hand-Book of Theology is the great life-work of Mr. Robert- 
son, and is indeed a monument of Scriptural and theological 
research. Of this book Dr. Mayfield says: "We cannot for- 
bear to say that, as we read the work in manuscript we were 
profoundly impressed with the conviction that the utterances 
were those of a heart already ripe for heaven. In the volume 
to which the reader is now introduced, it will be found that 
the author has dug down to the solid rocks on which his own 
faith rested. A timid, shrinking man, the author has found his 
purest joy in the sweet quietude of a country home and pas- 
torate. He has had no ambition to cross the line of that 
charmed circle in which he has moved for about a half century. 
However, at the urgent solicitation of many friends, he now 
consents, in the close of life, to furnish to others a discussion 
of those facts which have been the foundation of his own hap- 
piness." Again, after mentioning the importance of correct 
views of the ordinances and church polity, Dr. Mayfield says: 
"But there is something higher; such, at least, is the convic- 
tion of the author, and he deems it of great importance that 
in this age, men should give more attention to the study of the 
plan of salvation. This plan ought to be understood; we can 
better afford to be ignorant of everything else. Our happi- 
ness here depends on it, and, what is a matter of graver impor- 
tance, our future destiny will be determined by our' acquaint- 
ance with this system of truth." "When we consider the fact 
that men have the Bible to guide them, we should think there 
would be perfect agreement here. But such is not the case. We 
have here the greatest diversity of views; the theories about 
salvation are without number. The author has kindly stated 
the views of others, and has given the reasons why he differs 
from them. In this way he has modestly brought out his own 
theory. Such is an outline of the book the reader is now re- 
quested to examine." Mr. Robertson continued in his pastor- 
ate of Bethany church up to the time of his death, greatly hon- 
ored and esteemed. The following is from the minutes of 
the State Convention of 1879: "With unfeigned sorrow we 
chronicle the death of Eld. Norvell Robertson, of Silver Creek, 
Lawrence county, Mississippi. Bro. Robertson was called 
on to lay aside his armor on the 1st of June, 1878, and now the 
old veteran rests from his labors. His was a long life, having 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 581 

passed beyond four score years ; but he knew how to live that 
life. About two-thirds of it was consecrated to the blessed 
Master. In 1833 he was set apart to the gospel ministry by 
Bethany church, in Lawrence county, and forty-four succes- 
sive years he was their faithful and beloved pastor. He was a 
useful citizen, a good man at home, and a tower of strength in 
the pulpit. In the latter years of his life he gave to the world 
in permanent form a clear and able exposition of the. grand old 
doctrines of the Word of Life. Those who read his Hand- 
Book of Theology have before them the living preacher. Bro. 
Robertson died as he had lived, trusting in nothing but the 
blood of Jesus. And if it is true that 'goodness, not time, is 
the measure of life/ how much must that life measure in which 
both goodness and time are combined! Such was the life of 
Eld. Norvell Robertson." 

N. L. Robertson was born near the southeastern corner 
of Covington county, Miss., February 15, 1831, and was reared 
in the eastern part of that county. He is the third son of Dea- 
con A. P. Robertson, a grandson of Eld. Norvell Robertson, 
senior, and a nephew of Eld. Norvell Robertson, junior, just 
mentioned in these pages. On his mother's side he is a grand- 
son of Eld. Loammi Granberry, and nephew of Eld. N. R. 
Granberry. He has enjoyed about eleven months of ordinary 
old-field school education, besides free access to as good 
libraries as the neighborhood afforded in those days, 
and has been an omnivorous reader. In October, 
1847, he and his elder brother, Richmond, were baptized 
by Eld. N. Robertson, junior, in Oakey Woods Creek, 
near Leaf River Baptist church and became mem- 
bers of that church, where he remained until 1879. 
On November 3, 1853, he was married in Lauderdale county, 
Miss., to Miss E. A. Rogers. From this union were born 
twelve children, ten of whom are still living in Louisiana and 
Mississippi. In 1862 he entered the Confederate army, but 
owing to bad health his service was not constant. He took 
part in the siege of Vicksburg and in the battle of Nashville. 
He commenced serving as a delegate to the Ebenezer Associa- 
tion in 1865 or 1866 and served continuously until 1878 and 
was constantly clerk for eleven or twelve years. In 1877 he 



5^ 2 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

was licensed to preach by Leaf River church under the pastoral 
care of the venerable James P. Johnston, and in the follow- 
ing- year was ordained to the full work of the ministry By Revs. 
Johnston and R. L. King-, but only took charge of the AVil- 
liamsburg- church in the following winter, and removed to 
Grant parish, Louisiana, in April, 1870. There he found him- 
self in a hot bed of Arminians and being a Calvinistic Baptist 
he had great opposition and reproach to meet, which seemed 
to cripple his usefulness a great deal, but the Lord knows. In 
May, 1801, his wife died; and one year later he left Louisiana 
and returned to his old neighborhood, and in January follow- 
ing he accepted the care of Prospect and Oral churches in the 
Pearl Leaf Association, and Tallahala church in the Ebenezer 
Association, which churches he still has on his hands. He 
says that his life has not been morally, religiously, intellect- 
ually, or financially such as he could wish and that he has 
never attained to that state of Christian perfection claimed by 
so many in these days, nor is he yet able to dispense with faith 
and walk by sight as some of his brethren seem to do. 

Edwin S. Robin = 

son was born of re- 
spectable farmer par- 
entage in the town of 
Glostenburg, Ct, a far- 
mer boy, in 1813. On 
the maternal side Dr. 
E. G. Robinson was his 
cousin. He was edu- 
cated in the common 
schools of his native 
State. He was bap- 
tized into the fellow- 
ship of a Baptist 
church upon a profes- 
sion of faith in Christ, 
in his sixteenth year. 
After an interview 
three years later with 
Dr. Wilbur Fisk at 





REV. E. S. ROBINSON. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 583 

Wesleyan University he was sent by him to Wesleyan 
Academy, in Massachusetts. After spending three terms 
there in the study of the languages financial troubles 
arose. Dr. Fisk being in Europe, he applied to Dr. 
N. S. Wheaton, President of Washington College, Hart- 
ford, Ct., for assistance in continuing his studies. He 
was assigned to classes and received the aid . he needed. 
During the winter term, to avoid expenses of board, fuel and 
lights he engaged in teaching. After President Wheaton went 
to New Orleans he received an offer from J. W. S. Howe to 
become his assistant in teaching the languages at the Wood- 
lawn Seminary for boys, Forty-second street, New York. 
Drawn to that position by facilities for study he 
remained until the fall of 1837. At that time Austin 
Williams, of Natchez, being in New York, searching 
for a private teacher for himself and a friend. A 
lady being required to fill the requisition, his wife being 
a graduate of the Wesleyan Academy, Massachusetts, under 
David Patten and their credentials being all satisfactory 
to Mr. Williams, he employed Mr. and Mrs. Robinson to go 
to Natchez, Miss. Noble woman was Mrs. Robinson, who 
gave her consent to go with her husband and leave her first 
born son, now Rev. T. E. H. Robinson, in the care of cher- 
ished friends with no hope of seeing him within twelve months. 
Remaining in that family over three years he accepted an offer 
of Lorenzo Latham to unite in an effort to resuscitate Jeffer- 
son College, in Adams county, Miss. His wife engaged in 
teaching the children of Col. B. L. C. Wales and others. 
There he became acquainted with Col. Wales, his excellent, 
cultured and honored father and others of the children of 
his familv. Without any solicitation on his part, Mr. Robin- 
son was licensed to preach by the quarterly conference of the 
Natchez Station in 1841, Dr. William Winans, presiding elder. 
He feels under a debt of ever enduring gratitude to Dr. Win- 
ans. The fall of that } r ear he was unexpectedly chosen princi- 
pal of the Preparatory School of Centenary College, then 
about to start into existence six miles east of Brandon, Rankin 
county, Miss. Chosen President of a Female College at 
Sharon, in Madison county, Miss., he opened that Seminary 
January, 1843, Finally, after the trustees had thrice refused 



584 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

his resignation, remaining at Sharon he accepted as preacher 
in charge the Rankin work, whose people cordially welcomed 
him in 1847. In January, 1848, he opened the Pleasant Hill 
Male and Female Academy, his wife in charge of one and he 
of the other department, located in Jasper county, Miss. In 
1855 he moved his school to Garlandsville, and changed the 
name to Union Seminary. In 1858, after due examination, he 
was appointed agent in chief of all the business of the Amer- 
ican Sunday-school Union, in Mississippi, Arkansas and 
Louisiana. In 1857 he was restored to fellowship in the Bap- 
tist church at Paulding, Jasper county, Miss., his wife being 
baptized by Rev. William Thigpen. At that time they were 
employed in teaching the children of Revs. D. P. Bestor, D. 
Sumrall, N. Barnett, F. W. Jordan and others. On the open- 
ing of the Civil War M. Pardue, of Clarke county, employed 
him as private tutor for his children in De Soto, Clarke county. 
While thus engaged he transferred his church membership to 
Pleasant Hill, Clarke county, Rev. T. B. Heslip being pastor. 
He was liberated to preach the gospel by that church, and was 
a few months later by the same church called to the full work 
of the gospel ministry, the council in his ordination being 
Revs. D. P. Bestor, T. B. Heslip, and Dr. Martin. Pastor 
Heslip resigning, the church called Mr. Robinson to the pas- 
torate. He served them six years and baptized some who ever 
since proved true men in faith and deeds; as Rev. Charles 
Parton, J. P. Mays and about twenty others. Early in April, 
1867, a call came for preaching eight miles north of Pleasant 
Hill. He held on there four months when Pine Hill church 
was constituted as a regular Baptist church of seventeen mem- 
bers. At one appointment there a motherless boy came with 
a bundle of clothes without his father's consent, desiring bap- 
tism upon his faith. He is now pastor of four Baptist churches 
in Florida. Four miles south of Jonestown was constituted a 
Baptist church as an off-shoot of Pine Hill. Between these 
three churches he has baptized in the neighborhood of seventy 
persons. 

In 1868 he succeeded Mr. Lattimore in the service of Fel- 
lowship church, Jasper county. At the annual September 
meeting he continued ten days and baptized forty-two persons. 
He organized there a Sunday-school which received from the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 585 

American Bible Society, Bibles and Testaments, and used 
Baptist literature. That Sunday-school has met each second 
and fourth Sunday for twenty-five years summer and winter. 
Jesus alone knows the number of jeweled spirits from that 
school which will adorn his crown. He baptized near a hun- 
dred members into Fellowship church while pastor. He has 
served Twistwood church many years, and baptized many 
persons of excellent reputation, and has left no stain as teacher 
or pastor upon the Savior's cause. It was forty-six years ago 
that he preached his first sermon as a Methodist preacher in 
that community. And now he is welcomed to their pulpits 
cordially, although he has baptized many of their members and 
"broken up some of their societies." He has served Good 
Hope, Newton county; also Goodwater, Lauderdale county. 
During his ministry of many years he has baptized many 
prominent and useful men and women. He has now (1894) 
passed his eightieth year. For the last twenty years he has 
taught in our free schools, with his wife, having spent with 
her a married life of fifty-seven years, as first-grade teachers. 
By the result of the last three crop years he and his wife are de- 
prived of all their property which represented fifty-six years of 
toil. He often sees the hand of God in leading him out from 
the home of his boyhood in early life to be a pioneer by toil 
and suffering in the cause of education and preaching the glor- 
ious gospel. He still delights in that blessed work, forgetful 
of self. "By the grace of God I am what I am," he says. "None 
but Jesus does or can do helpless sinners good. I am now," 
he continues, "near the close of life's battle, not an invalid, nor 
a cripple, nor a pensioned old soldier, as lovingly obedient to 
my Master's call when the trumpet sounds as of yore. No 
community and church to whom my ministry has extended 
dare impute to me the leaving of any stain upon my Master's 
cause." 

Joseph Robinson. Of this brother, Rev. W. H. Head, in 
1884, wrote: "Joseph Robinson lived near and was pastor 
of Mount Moriah church, Choctaw county. He served 
Shiloh and perhaps otHer churches in the Louisville Associa- 
tion and served churches in other associations, some at great 
distances from his home. He was not an educated man, but 



586 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



a logical thinker, a fair preacher, sound in the faith, and 
preached the doctrines of grace to edification. He was what is 
now called a land-marker before that name was known among 
Baptists, and rather ultra in his views. Methodism, for its Ar- 
minianism, was his especial abhorrence. It must have strained 
his social courtesy to invite a Methodist class-leader at his own 
house to conduct family worship, as he once, however, did. 
After reading a chapter and a hymn, the Methodist brother 
arose to his feet and turned around to sing, as their usage some- 
times is; but brother Robinson and family thought he was 
kneeling to pray, and they accordingly knelt down, while the 
Methodist sang over them till they stealthily crept 
up to join him. On hearing him tell it afterwards 
some of us said he did penance on his knees for 
his lack of charity to him that was weak in the 
faith. Brother Robinson never enjoyed robust health 
while I knew him, being dyspeptic and feeble. He was firm 
in what he believed right to the verge of stubborness; but a 
good man and did much good. He died during the war." 




REV. T. E. H. ROBINSON. 
free State of Jones county, Miss. 



T. E. H. Robinson, son 

of Rev. E. S. Robinson, just 
mentioned, was born in 
New York City, September 
21, L837. His parents Rev. 
E. S. and Julia A. Robinson, 
came to Louisiana in 1838, 
as teachers. They moved to 
Mississippi in 1840, to Cen- 
tenary College, near Bran- 
don, Rankin county. Thence 
to Sharon, Madison county. 
Thence in 1847, to Jasper 
county, where they founded 
Pleasant Hill Academy. In 
this county he grew to man- 
hood. At twenty he com- 
menced his carreer as a 
teacher at Ellisville in the 
When the war began he 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 587 

volunteered May 4, 1860, a wild reckless young man. While 
in the army he was converted and baptized in the Tennessee 
river at Chattanooga, Tennessee, by Dr. William Williams, 
missionary to the army, in 1863. He was disabled by a gun- 
shot wound in front of Atlantic on Eastpoint road, August 4, 
1864. Prior to this, July 9, 1864, he was married to a sweet 
young lady, Miss Mary E. Pittman of Atlanta, who is yet liv- 
ing-, the mother of eleven boys and girls. He was impressed at 
an early age that it was his duty to preach the gospel, yet he 
resisted until in 1867, he was licensed to exercise his gift. The 
church at Waynesboro, Miss., called him to serve them in Jan- 
uary, 1870, which church requested his ordination. He was 
then a member of Sand Hill church, Wayne county, Miss. 
Rev. Wilson West, pastor. He was ordained at this church 
July 11, 1870, the presbytery consisting of Revs. Wilson West 
and P. P. Bowen, father of our beloved O. D. Bowen. In 
October, 1870, he was called to Isney, Choctaw county, Ala- 
bama, to take charge of the High school where he remained 
thirteen months. His health giving way he was compelled to 
move back to Jasper county. After resting one month he 
resumed his duties as teacher and preacher. He served Union 
church, Jasper county, 1871 for one year. He lost but 
little time from the pulpit during these years. In 1872 he be- 
gan regular pastoral work with Shady Grove church, Jasper 
county, with three other churches and a large school. He 
served Fairfield church, Wayne county, nine years, Ebenezer, 
Jasper county, six years, Salem, Jasper county, one year. In 
1883 he felt impelled by the Holy Spirit toward the people 
among whom he began his career as teacher. Thither he bent 
his foot-steps, beginning his work at Eastabon church on the 
N. O. and N. E. railway where he organized a church with the 
assistance of Rev. S. O. Y. Ray, the same year organizing a 
church at Saundersville, Jones county and also, at Harriesburg, 
Perry county. He became pastor of Providence church, 
Perry county in 1884, also Central church, New Hope church, 
Covington County. He served Providence five years; New 
Hope two years ; Augusta, Perry county two years. He gave 
up Providence to work for the State Board at Columbia, Mar- 
ion county, Miss. In 1887 he was called to the care of Beth- 
any church, Lawrence county and Ebenezer, Covington 



588 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

county. He has served each six years. In 1892 he took 
charge of Salem church, Covington county, Miss. Central 
he is still serving and has served for ten years. He has labored 
almost incessantly in the Master's vineyard in this part of the 
world, to wit, Marion, Perry, Covington, Lawrence and Jones 
counties, for the past ten years, travelling on horseback and in 
buggy at the rate of thirty-five hundred miles per annuam. 
If the good Lord should spare his life to see July 11, 1803, he 
will have been an ordained minister twenty-three years. He 
has tried to perform his duty, and God has blessed his labors 
Something near twelve hundred souls have expressed a hope 
in Christ and have been baptized by him upon a profession of 
their faith m the crucified but now risen and exalted Redeemer. 
With him Christ has kept his promise, "Lo, I am with you 
always even unto the end of the days." In his case the good 
Lord has shown what he can do with a poor weak, feeble worm 
of the dust He says "To him be all the glory, both now and 
forever." 

He has written some articles for the "Southern Baptist" 
and "Baptist Record," which, he says, sums up his literarv pn> 
auctions. His mother taught him that when people older than 
himself were talking he must keep quiet. Hence his produc- 
tions have been few and far between. 

W. H. Robinson "is another veteran in the army of the 
Lord. Previous to his conversion he was very wild and 
reckless, fond of fighting and swearing. As soon as he made 
a profession of religion he exhibited much zeal for the Savior 
and very soon felt impressed with the duty of preaching 
although he could not then read a hymn correctly. He has 
always been a man of great earnestness, preaches with extraor- 
dinary unction, and under his preaching men and women 
have been made to tremble and flee to the Savior of sinners. 
He has been instrumental in the salvation of more souls (to 
human appearances) than perhaps any other minister in the 
association. During one-fourth of its existence he has been 
its missionary and in such capacity has accomplished great 
good, having baptized more than six hundred persons. The 
large circle of his friends and brethren hope that his declin- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 589 

ing sun may set in a cloudless sky and that his last days on 
earth may be radiant with the brightness of Christian hope." 
In the early portion of 1893 the divine summons came to the 
aged warrior to lay aside his armor and join the " innumer- 
able caravan" marching to the silent shades of darkness that 
precedes the light of unclouded day, and he " fell on sleep." 




REV. W. A. ROPER. 



W. A, Roper 

was born in Choc- 
taw county, Ala- 
bama, July 3, 1867, 
and removed to 
Mississippi in 1883. 
He remained on 
the farm until 1884 
when he entered 
Mississippi College. 
For seven years, 
" off and on," he 
studied in this 
institution. While 
in college he was 
converted and 
joined the church 



at Clinton in 1884, and was baptized by Rev. A. V. Rowe, who 
was then pastor of the church. Feeling impressions of duty to 
preach, he yielded and was licensed to do so by the Shubuta 
church in August, 1886. He was ordained by the Shady 
Grove church, Jasper county, in March, 1888. He was 
married to the daughter of J. C. Lyon, of Heidelburg, Miss., 
in March, 1888. He moved at once to Sandersville, Miss., 
and took charge of the school at that place. In connection 
with his school work he served the churches at Bethel, 
Augusta and Soninlovie. In 1890 he was elected professor 
of Latin and Greek in Lake Como Institute, He accepted 
this position and remained there two years when he resigned 
to accept a position at Hickory Grove as teacher, but in 1893 
he was elected principal of Lake Como Institute, which he 
accepted, and is now (1894) at work there in that capacity. 
Still he has been serving churches in his reach as pastor ever 



590 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

since he has been in Jasper county, notably among which are 
Salem and Phaltai. Mr. Roper is one of the rising young 
men of Southeast Mississippi, as a preacher and as an edu- 
cator. 

Thomas J. Rowan, the youngest of nine children, was 
born December 9, 1854, in Copiah county, Miss. His parents, 
Samuel and Jennie Rowan, are from South Carolina. He was 
always considered a pious and model boy, but was not con- 
verted until sixteen years of age. Soon afterwards, having 
the ministry in view, he became a student of Centenary 
College, Jackson, La., under the care of Rev. C. G. Andrews, 
a distinguished Methodist divine. By his brilliant intellect 
and studious habits he soon won the esteem and confidence 
of all the professors, especially the president, who invited him 
to make his home in his family, treating him more like a 
son or companion than as a pupil. With the students there, 
as well as with those at Mississippi College and the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary, lie was, beyond question, a 
universal favorite. Possessing as he does, an ardent love 
for God's word, regarding its teachings above the opinions 
of men, and knowing that the Master whom lie had professed 
to love preferred obedience to sacrifice, he began to pass 
through the bitterest, yet sweetest, experience of his life, when 
he undertook a prayerful investigation of the subjects of 
baptism and communion. I have listened with tears as he 
told me of the deep waters he was made to pass through, caus- 
ing an illness so severe that it took months for his wounded 
heart to heal and his unstrung nerves and sympathies to tone 
up into harmony. 

Deliberate in reaching conclusions, he asserted his own 
indefeasible right of maintaining them. In his eighteenth 
year, while a student of Centenary College, he united witli 
the Baptist church at Jackson, La., and was baptized by Rev. 
S. A. Hayden. By the same church he was ordained, Revs. 
S. A. Hayden and George Hayden constituting the presbytery. 

After changing his faith he entered Mississippi College. 
where the writer's acquaintance with him began. His deep- 
toned piety, modesty, brilliancy, eloquence, class-standing 
and manliness secured for him the admiration of the whole 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 591 

school and community. He was elected orator for his liter- 
ary society several times,, and was considered its brightest 
star. Ambitious and studious, he completed the A. B. course 
at Mississippi College at the age of twenty-one. 

Mr. Rowan spent three years and a half in the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary, completing the full course, 
excepting a small portion of the Hebrew and Latin. His 
distinguishing traits of character displayed at college shone 
brilliantly throughout his seminary course. Modest, 
yet manly; ambitious, but not self-seeking; talented and 
handsome, yet humble and reticent; candid and firm, 
though not aggressive. As a preacher he is pointed, clear 
and earnest, commanding the attention of the most illiterate 
and themost cultivated. His tenacious and well-stored mem- 
ory is a treasury for classical and historical allusions; his ser- 
mons are noted on account of brevity, scarcely ever exceed- 
ing thirty minutes; unity, hastening everything on to the 
crisis; simplicity, within the grasp of a child; accuracy and 
much thought for a young man. 

Having spent part of his vacation of 1879 with the Cen- 
tral church, Memphis, the impression he made was so favor- 
able that, on the resignation of Dr. S. Landrum, a few months 
later, he was earnestly urged by the church to leave the sem- 
inary and become its pastor. At the age of twenty-five he 
became pastor of this, one of the largest and most flourish- 
ing Baptist churches in the Southwest. 

His labor has been greatly blessed. During the seven 
months in which he has been pastor of the Central church, 
there has already been an accession of about seventy members 
by baptism and letter. He is one of the most gifted of pulpit 
orators, and we know of no minister of whom we would pre- 
dict a more brilliant future of usefulness in the service of 
God. — E. A. Taylor, in Borum's Sketches of Tennessee Bap- 
tist Ministers, p. 530, in 1880. 

But, alas, in the midst of life and usefulness we are in 
death. This gifted and eloquent young minister, fell a victim 
to the insatiate archer at his post of duty in Memphis, July 
29, 1882, at the age of twenty-eight. He left a young widow 
to mourn his loss, who is a daughter of Rev. E. C. Eager, 
so long and favorably known in Mississippi. His remains 



5Q2 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



were carried to his old home in Copiah county, Miss., for inter- 
ment, and there await the summons of the resurrection morn- 
ing. 



Abner Vernon Rowe 

was born at Lexington, 
Miss., April 28, 1848. 
His father and mother 
were members of the 
Baptist church at Lex- 
ington and in their 
home was always a glad 
welcome for the Baptist 
preacher. At the close 
of the war the family 
consisted of a sister and 
two brothers, all the 
others having died. At 
the town school the 
subject of this sketch 
had received training 
which would enter him 
in the college sopho- 
more class. In 1866 he 
taught a small country 




REV. A. V. ROWE, D. D. 



school and in 1867 took charge of a school near Oregon 
Baptist church, five miles west of Lexington. He was con- 
verted under the pastorate of Dr. J. W. Bozeman, in the sum- 
mer of 1867 and was baptized into the fellowship of the Ore- 
gon church. He remained in the same community teaching 
until the summer of 1869. From the time of his conversion 
he had convictions of a call to preach, but not until this 
summer of 1869 did he desire to enter the ministry. Un- 
known to himself members of the church were feeling about 
it as he did. One day Deacon Jackson stood up in the 
church meeting and called the attention of the church to the 
fact that God calls men, and, to the surprise of the youno- 
man, announced that he believed A. V. Rowe was called to 
preach, and moved that he be set at liberty. That fall, at the 
instance of James Nelson, he entered Mississippi College 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS, 59> 

from which institution he graduated in June, 1872, in the A. 
B. course. During his college course, especially in the last 
year, he did much preaching, giving once a month each to 
the churches at West's and Pelahatchie. In the latter church 
there had been a great revival under the preaching of Messrs. 
Rowe and Sanford, resulting in the taking in of many mem- 
bers, and as neither of the young preachers were ordained 
Rev. T. J. Walne was sent for and came and baptized for 
them. The West's church called for his ordination in 1872, 
and a presbytery, consisting of Revs. Mat. Lyon, Henry Pitt- 
man, Hilary W. Portwood, and Henry T. Sproles, was author- 
ized to ordain him. 

In the fall of 1872 he entered the Southern Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary, where he remained two sessions, taking a 
select course. In the spring of 1874 he left the seminary to 
take missionary work in company with H. T. Haddick in the 
Yazoo Association. The association regarded the work 
done by these young men with great favor. The church at 
Goodman was organized as a result of their labors, nobly 
seconded by those of James Nelson who came just in season 
as if specially sent of God. Twenty-five persons were bap- 
tized, the church was organized and called Mr. Rowe to be 
missionary pastor. In other meetings blessings followed 
his labors. The church at Lexington a few months later 
called him, so that by July his pastoral engagements forbade 
further missionary operations. On July 12, of this year (1874) 
he was married to Miss Fannie J. Dodds, of Crystal Springs, 
who has been a help-meet to her husband of remarkable 
power. In the winter of 1874 the church at Durant called 
him, and, making Durant His home, he began his work as 
pastor of the Goodman, Lexington and Durant churches. 
In 1880 and 1881 he preached to the Kosciusko church in 
connection with Durant and Goodman. 

In 1882 he moved to Clinton, Miss., and became pastor 
there and at Edwards and Raymond. In 1883, on the death 
of Prof. Timberlake, of Mississippi College, Mr. Rowe was 
chosen to the professorship of Latin in his alma «mater. At 
the meeting of the State Convention in 1884, under the head 
of "discouragements," the board of trustees said of Prof. 
Timberlake's death: "This was a severe and unexpected blow. 



594 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

In our amazement we sat as those dumb before the Lord. 
We knew not what to do. There was darkness and appar- 
ently no light in our pathway." Under the head of "encour- 
agements,'- the Board added: "But there is a bright side. 
Severe as the loss of Prof. Timberlake was to the college, it 
was not irreparable, and again we learned the important lesson 
that no one of us is absolutely essential to the success of any 
God-approved enterprise. His purposes will stand fast 
whether we live or die. He is in no wise dependent on us. 
Rev. A. Y. Rowe was in a short time elected to fill the place 
made vacant by the death of Prof. Timberlake. It affords us 
pleasure to say that he has given entire satisfaction in his 
work, and we bespeak for him a career of eminent usefulness 
in the college." In the fall of 1884 he resigned the pastorate 
of the Clinton church and accepted a call to take charge once 
more of the Durant church, which he had given up in 1883. 
In the summer of 1885 returned with his family to Durant 
and became Principal of the Durant High School, and while 
doing this work he was pastor also at different times of West's, 
Sidon and Bethel churches. In the winter of 1887 having ac- 
cepted a call to the Winona church he moved to that town and 
successfully and ably filled the pastorate until March. 1893, 
when he was elected corresponding secretary of the Conven- 
tion Board of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention. He 
had been connected with the old State Mission Board at Ox- 
ford, and in the reorganization of the mission work in L885 
was made a member of the Convention Board. He has been 
a member of the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College 
since 1877, and, while in Clinton, was corresponding secretary 
and treasurer of the Board of Ministerial Education. He his 
baptized in his ministry over five hundred people ; has organ- 
ized two churches; has interested his people in building the 
parsonage at Duiant and Winona; has built one church house, 
and, like David, prepared the way for the erection of the beau- 
tiful house of worship now being built at Durant. The 
Trustees of Mississippi College conferred upon him the honor- 
ary degree of D. D., June, 1894. During a number of years 
consecutively he was elected presiding officer of the Yazoo 
Baptist Association until in 1892, he declined further election 
because of his duties as corresponding secretary. Dr. Rowe 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 595 

is a man of strong convictions, of unflinching and unswerving 
integrity and has the courage to maintain his convictions. He 
would suffer martyrdom rather than compound with error or 
any thing he conceived to be wrong. He is energetic, capable 
and efficient in whatever he engages. He has a fine voice, 
splendid physique and perfect health. God has fitted him for 
work and he is an indefatigable worker. His home life is 
blessed with a loving wife and five children, three of whom 
have been baptized by their father. Four children have "fallen 
on sleep" and wait in the better land the coming of loved ones. 

T. Y. Rowland. Rev. W. H. Head, in 1884, says : "This 
brother lived many years and preached much in the bounds of 
the Louisville Baptist Association. He was pastor for some 
time of Antioch church, near which he lived, and of other 
churches. He labored also in the Kosciusko Association. 
He was not gifted as a sermonizer, but was gifted as an ex- 
horter and his labors were blessed. It was customary in effort 
meetings especially for one minister to preach a sermon and 
another to conclude by an application of the discourse, and 
with exhortation to the unconverted. In the latter work Bro- 
ther Rowland was eminently gifted ; in his happiest mood was 
the equal of any I ever knew. He married late in life and was 
married unhappily. By this unfortunate circumstance his life 
was embittered and his usefulness injured. 

Joshua T. Russell was pastor of the Columbus church in 
Joshua T. Russell was pastor of the Columbus church in 
1 850 and 1851, and in all the general meetings of the churches 
and associations during his short pastorate he was greatly hon- 
ored by his brethren, which indicates that he was a man of 
influence and ability. Of his subsequent history we have no 
knowledge. 

J. M. Sammons was licensed to preach the gospel by 
Salem Baptist church, Wayne county, Miss., May 15, 1880, 
and preached his first sermon the next night on John 9:27, 
"Will ye also be his disciples?" Early in 1881 he accepted a 
call to Zion Hill church, and, May 16, 1881, he was ordained 
to the full work of the ministry, by the following presbytery: 



50 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

W. West, and S. Hilburn. He served Zion Hill once a month 
until 1883, with two baptisms. In January, 1882, he began as 
pastor with Big Creek church, Wayne county, for some time 
previously pastorless, and served this church until August, 
1887, being succeeded by Rev. W. West. He received during 
this pastorate thirty members by baptism. During 1883 he 
preached a few months to the Sand Hill church, Wayne 
county, with little visible success. In 1885 and until August, 
1880, he was pastor of Hollis Creek church; of Sand Hill, 
Green county, from August, 1880, till September, 1887, bap- 
tizing six. He was then out of the pastorate for one year. 
From the fall of 1888 till August, 1889, he was again pastor 
of Big Creek church, earnestly preaching missions, pastoral 
support, etc., and baptizing seven. On November 24, 1888, 
he began, under appointment, serving as missionary of the 
General Association, for one-fourth of his time, and continued 
in this work till October, 1881), then giving it up as it was a 
difficult and inaccessible work for him. In it he gave forty- 
eight days, forty-nine sermons, baptizing two, and organizing 
one church, afterwards constituting another from that work. 
traveled thirteen hundred and thirty-two miles and receiving 
ninety-five dollars. From January till August, 1881V, he was 
pastor of Black church, Ala., for one-fourth time, baptizing 
four and receiving several by letter. From October. L888, 
till May, 1890, he was pastor of Antioch church, Ala., receiving 
twelve members by baptism. At Boice school house, from his 
General Association work, aided by Rev. W. West, he organ- 
ized there the Johnson's Creek church, of which he was pastor 
until August, 1890. From November, 1890, till October, 
1891, he was pastor of Hurricane church, Ala., being succeeded 
at his request by Rev. J. O. Crawford. From March till De- 
cember, 1891, he was pastor of Centre Ridge church, Clarke 
county, receiving by baptism twenty-two. From August till 
December, 1891, he was pastor, to fill a vacancy of Salem 
church, Waynesboro, his home church, until Rev. T. E. 
Tucker was settled there for 1892, baptizing one, organizing a 
missionary society, effecting a plan for the church to pay h : s 
successor a salary of one hundred and fifty dollars, and raised 
ten dollars for missions. Determining to change his field, and 
being disappointed in a purpose to study in Mississippi Col- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 597 

lege, earnestly desiring to improve his education, failing in 
other plans, but getting, perhaps, where the Master wanted 
him he located at Poplarville, Pearl River county, but all pas- 
torates being filled he had no preaching work until the summer 
of 1892. At that time it was arranged for him to supply for 
several months Juniper Grove church during a temporary 
absence of the pastor, Rev. A. M. Slaydon. His energies in 
the work in that county and his zeal were quickened the longer 
he remained there. However, there being no opening he felt 
disposed to leave, but in November, 1892, he was called and 
accepted the pastorate of Juniper Grove church and remaining 
in that work until September, 1893, he baptized fifteen and 
received several by letter and two by restoration, the church 
keeping up a Sunday-school, contributing to many benevolent 
objects, liberating W. H. Smith to preach. He left in the 
church a growing sympathy for the work of the State Con- 
vention. Early in 1892 he began preaching at White Sand 
school house a destitute neighborhood, held a meeting later, 
got the people interested in building a good house of worship, 
expecting to organize a church, got the material on the ground 
and expected to build in the summer of 1894, doing most of 
this work gratuitously. Just now he is not in a pastorate, but 
is interested, and ready to lay hold of any work God places be- 
fore him, is now visiting destitute places, helping pastors oc- 
casionally in their work. He has a great sympathy for Bap- 
tist preachers. He has been the pastor of twelve churches, 
baptized seventy, assisted in the organization of three churches, 
assisted in the ordination of four preachers and fourteen 
deacons, married twenty couples and attended several funerals. 
In 1890 he attended the first Theological Institute held at 
Howard College, East Lake, Ala., and felt greatly benefited 
by it but could not attend others. Desiring to increase the in- 
terest in such work he introduced to some of his brethren 
Dr. Anderson's corresoondence course and his sermon svs- 
tem. It caused such delight that they had Dr. Anderson visit 
Poplarville in July, 1893, and hold a few days institute, which 
was to be repeated in the summer of 1894, somewhere in that 
vicinity. Mr. Sammons has tried several times to go to Clin- 
ton but has never succeeded in getting there; he continues 
trying, however, to get rid of ignorance and improve his edu- 



598 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

cation, and hopes still to see the Seminary. He is in full sym- 
pathy with all the work of the State Convention, and hopes 
soon to know of another branch of Christian benevolence 
taken up by Mississippi Baptists — the building of an Orphan's 
Home, a work he has desired to see for several years. May his 
desires be realized. 

M. O. Sanders was ordained to the full work of the gospel 
ministry by Harmony church, La Fayette county, Miss., Jan- 
uary 14, 1872. The presbytery consisted of Revs. C. B. 
Young, and J. H. Amacker. He has served several churches 
and preached a great deal at destitute places. Of his later life 
we are not informed and do not know if he still lives. 

John W. Sanford. Mississippi probably never lost a 
more brilliant and eloquent young man than John W. Sanford. 
He was born near Ripley. Miss., January 29, 1818. His 
father died when he was a small boy and his mother was left 
with a large family. His mother was an excellent woman and 
she was remarkably successful in training her children. The 
boys worked hard on the farm. John was converted in his 
boyhood and baptized into the Ripley Baptist church. At the 
age of twenty-one his church licensed him to preach and at 
twenty-two he entered Mississippi College, at Clinton, where 
he remained live years, graduating in June. 1875. During his 
stay at Clinton he was noted as the most eloquent student in 
the college. During these five years at college he was pastor 
at Xew Hope in Madison county and at Pelehatchie and 
Brandon. During his vacations he did a great deal of work in 
protracted meetings and always with marked success. At the 
close of his college course. June, 1875, he was appointed agent 
for Mississippi College, in which position he did successful 
work for the remainder of that year. On December 20, 1875, 
just as he was ready to settle at Corinth and take charge of the 
churches at Corinth and Baldwyn. he was married to Miss 
Janie Lowrey, the third daughter of Gen. M. P. Lowrey. He 
was exceedingly popular with his churches but his health soon 
began to fail. He had for years been threatened with con- 
sumption and the disease now began to lay hold of him in 
earnest. In December. 1870. he fled to Florida in search of a 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 599 

milder climate but it was too late. He died at Palatka, Flor- 
ida, January 11, 1877. His remains were brought back to 
Mississippi by his bereaved young widow and buried in the 
cemetery one mile from Blue Mountain. When his death 
was announced, a sigh of regret went up from the whole State 
for he had become widely known and was universally popular. 
Mrs. Sanford, after teaching in Blue Mountain Female College 
until 1881, went as a missionary to the Chinese in San Fran- 
cisco, California, and seven years later she sailed for Canton 
China. Later she was married to Dr. R. H. Graves, of the 
Canton Baptist Mission, and now (November, 1891), is spend- 
ing some time in the United States, while she and Dr. Graves 
are recuperating their health. 

John Sansing was the missionary of the Association in 
1855, at the time of his death, when the following action was 
taken: "Inasmuch as an all-wise Providence has removed by 
death our beloved brother, Eld. John Sansing, Resolved, That 
we tender our condolence to his bereaved family and friends, 
and pray that the sad bereavement may be sanctified to their 
spiritual good." The work of Mr. Sansing as missionary of 
the Columbus Association was said to be valuable and effec- 
tive. While a pastor in that Association we had some of his 
sons members of our church. 

Nelson Sansing was one of the earliest missionaries of 
this body (the Columbus Association) and served in this capa- 
city for a considerable length of time. Afterwards he was 
pastor of Concord and still later of Mayhew Prairie church. 
He moved to Texas and died a few years since. He was a 
brother of Tohn Sansing and like him seems to have possessed 
in a remarkable degree the evangelistic spirit. Their reports, 
printed in the old minutes of the association, show excellent 
work performed. 

H. G. Savage (1824-1887). The ministerial career of H. 
G. Savage extended from July, 1853, to February, 1887, his li- 
cense to preach having been granted by the Rienzi church July 
2, 1853, and his death having occurred February 10, 1887. His 
ordination took place at Rienzi, November 2, 1853. A. H. 



6oo 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



Booth and Levm Savage constituted the presbytery. During 
the thirty-four years and more of his gospel ministry, the bulk 
of his work was in the same territory— Tishomingo Associa- 
tion. Northeastern Mississippi. His sermons were prepared 
with much reading and care and delivered with warmth and 
purity ol sentiment and style. They were usuallv about thirty- 
nve minutes long, followed as the general custom used to be (a 
custom that ought to be revived), by a feeling and appropriate 
exhortation. His churches prospered, and people often vet 
weep as they speak of him. 



T. C. Schilling 
was born in Wash- 

ington parish, La., 
January 23, 1853. 
He was raised on 
the farm until about 
grown. attending 
such schools as the 
country afforded. 
In 1S74 he attended 
school at Osyka, 
-Miss., under the in- 
struction of Rev. M, 
S. Shirk, and at 
Mississippi College 
for a time during 

REV.T.C.SCH.LUNG. ^ ^ ° f *** 

that time he has still been a student but has pursued hi, iudta? 
both hterary and theological, in a private way 
, ? rather remarkable incident in Ins life is worthy of men- 
tion because showing the special care and Providence of God 
in the matter. When a boy about ten vears old he la/ 
narrow escape from drowning. He was on his way o Ok 

army As he came to Tangipahoa, a considerable river near 
town he found that it was quite high from recent heavy rains 

ven- Zt th ^ bnd ^V VaS " deeP ba - V ° U ' and the «' at - -s 
,f " SW,ft - He "ndertook to go across on a log. 




i 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 601 

lost his balance and fell in. He went down and up, 
then down and up again, the strong current finally 
carrying him near one of the banks when he seized 
hold of a little bush he could reach and pulled out. 
About twenty-two years after this providential deliver- 
ance from a watery grave he baptized, quite near the same 
spot, six persons, among them a man sixty-two years of age. 

He united with Mount Herman Baptist church, Washing- 
ton parish, La., October 10, 1869, and was baptized by Rev. 
Willis J. Fortenberry. He was licensed to preach September 
27, 1873, and ordained October 8, 1876, the presbytery consist- 
ing of Revs. W. J. Fortenberry, C. F. Crawford, W. H. and 
E. M. Schilling. He was married to Miss Angie D. James, 
February 3, 1876. He has been engaged in pastoral work 
twelve years, serving churches in Washington and St. Helena 
parishes, Louisiana, and in Amite and Pike counties, Miss. 
During this time he has traveled in round numbers twenty 
thousand miles, not including railroad travel, preached twelve 
hundred sermons, made fourteen hundred and fifty visits, col- 
lected for missionary and benevolent work sixteen hundred 
dollars, attended five hundred prayer-meetings, led in building 
and improving houses of worship to the amount of seventeen 
hundred and fifty dollars, baptized three hundred and seventy- 
five persons, conducted sixty-seven burial services, and cele- 
brated sixty-one marriages. He has at present (1894) the care 
of five churches, besides being secretary of the Board of 
Trustees of Gillsburg Institute, Clerk of the Mississippi River 
Association and Financial Reporter in the Gfllsburg Lodge of 
Knights of Honor. He says: "The Lord has greatly blessed 
me, and I am very grateful to him for whatever he has enabled 
me to do for his cause among The children of men." 

A. J. Seale, one of the most useful and devout ministers 
of Jesus Christ who ever lived in the Aberdeen Association, 
was born in Green county, Alabama. He came to Mississippi 
soon after the war between the States. He was pastor of the 
Pleasant Grove church, Pontotoc county, for sixteen years in 
succession. He was a man of a good substantial education, 
and an interesting and instructive preacher. But his great 
power throughout the Aberdeen Association lay in his great 



602 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

piety and in the strength of a godly life. No one who knew 
him had the least doubt of the genuineness of his religion, 
and so every one had unbounded confidence in him. He was 
the Henry Pittman of Aberdeen Association and every one in 
the Yazoo Association will understand what that means. He 
always had as many pastorates offered him as he could fill, 
and the churches in his care all prospered because God was 
with him. His health was always very frail and for a number 
of years it seemed that every year would be the last. His death 
occurred some time between July. 188G, and July. 1887, ana is 
mentioned in the State Convention minutes of 1887. His life 
was a legacy to the denomination : his memory is precious and 
fragrant: "being dead he yet speaketh." 

Following are some published testimonials of this man of 
God: "Eld. A. J. Seale, died in Troy, December 11, 1886, in 
the seventy-fourth year of his age. He had lived a devo,ut 
and consistent Christian since his profession early in life. His 
departure was calm and peaceful, no words were needed in 
assurance of his blessedness, he lived right hence died right. 

"This faithful servant of the Lord, Rev. A. J. Seale, has en- 
tered into rest, and thus has passed away one of the veterans. 
Mississippi has had abler ministers, but never a purer, more 
lovable one. Truly he was a living epistle, known and read 
of all men. In all our acquaintance with preachers, we have 
never met one who appeared to us to be more after the order 
of John, the beloved disciple. It scarcely need be said that he 
was greatly beloved by his brethren — indeed, by every one, 
While he was not a great preacher, he was a good one, serving 
the same churches for many years so acceptably that they de- 
sired no change. He was in full sympathy with every effort 
to spread the gospel and with all educational movements. 
Though his health has not permitted him to be in active work 
for some years his presence at the meetings of the brethren has 
been inspiring. A word from him, though spoken in weak- 
ness from" his chair, was more than many words from any one 
else. The people knew well that they could trust his head 
and his heart. Thouerh dead, he will live, and his works will 
follow him." — Baptist Record. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



603 




REV. T. G. SELLERS, D. D. 



T. G. Sellers, D. 

D.,"a navtive of South 
Carolina, made a pro- 
fession of religion in 
Madison county, Ala., 
and united with the 
Huntsville Baptist 
church. After receiv- 
ing a full collegiate 
education in Union 
University, Murfrees- 
boro, Tenn., graduat- 
ing in 1854, he filled 
his first pastorate at 
Athens, Ala., in 1855 
and 1856. In August, 
1856, he was united in 
marriage with Miss 
Mary E. Crenshaw 
and moved to Stark- 
ville, Miss., the following year, became pastor of the Baptist 
church at this place and has held this position during all the 
years since (until recently he resigned because burdened with 
other duties), steadily growing in popularity and in the affec- 
tions of his people. During this long pastorate of twenty- 
three years, he has been instrumental in the conversion of 
many souls to the Savior. In July, 1865, as he preached a 
most earnest sermon from the text; 'Behold, I stand at the 
door, and knock, etc.,' a youth in the audience received power 
to open his heart and joyfully welcome the divine guest as 
the Master of its affections, and now traces this little tribute to 
the zeal of his father in the gospel. Mr. Sellers has also been 
a laborious and successful educator. For a number of years 
he taught the Male Academy, but finally gave it up with the 
determination to cease teaching. The citizens of Starkville, 
in 1870, determined to establish a Female Institute and elected 
him to the presidency of the new enterprise. This institute has 
steadily grown in influence and popularity until it has become, 
under the efficient administration of its president, one of the 
leading female colleges in East Mississippi. Some time after 



604 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the loss of his wife, in 1870, Mr. Sellers was married to Miss 
Sallie Crenshaw, an excellent Christian worker. He has been 
moderator of this association at its last eight sessions. Pre- 
vious to that he was clerk at eleven sessions. For a consid- 
erable period he lias been President of the Executive Board 
and takes a deep interest in its work. He is exceedingly care- 
less of newspaper notoriety and has perhaps neglected op- 
portunities for doing good in that direction, as he is an able 
theologian, a vigorous thinker and a graceful and elegant 
writer. But, whatever may be said of others, he cannot be 
charged with having the mania for writing, although he could 
do it so well." The brief mention of this eminent man of God, 
given above, was written in 1881. It was about that time or 
perhaps earlier or later that Mr. Sellers was invited to deliver 
the commencement sermon before the faculty and students of 
the South Western Baptist University, Jackson, Tenn. At 
the same commencement season the honorary degree of D. D. 
was bestowed upon him by that University. During his 
presidency of the Starkville Female Institute, which con- 
tinned about twenty years, from 1870 until 1890, perhaps 
longer, he was all the while the zealous and laborious preacher 
for neighboring country and village churches, and in this way 
accomplished much good. About the year 1801 the educa- 
tional work in Starkville assumed such a shape that it did not 
seem advisable to him to continue longer in the presidency 
of the institute. He therefore sold the institute property to 
the city of Starkville and turned his back upon the school 
room forever. Some time in 1802 the pastorate of the Stark- 
ville church became vacant by the resignation and depart- 
ure of Rev. George H. Carter. The church in casting about 
for a pastor at last fixed their eyes upon the "old shepherd," 
who had gone in and out before them for twenty-two years 
in the past and decided that there could be found none so 
good as he. He was recalled to the Starkville pastorate after 
having been out of it ten years, and having lived more than 
thirty years in the community. He entered upon the duties 
of his pastorate about the first of 1803 and is still (November. 
1804 ) the honored pastor of his old charge. His is an im- 
portant pastorate, for the State Agricultural and Mechanical 
College is located there, and it is necessary to cultivate a friend- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 605 

ship for the students as also with the faculty of that institu- 
tion. From year to year he has been elected moderator of the 
Columbus Association, until now, unless there has been some 
break unknown to the writer, he has held that office twenty- 
three years in succession. May the Divine Father deal gra- 
ciously with him in these latter years of his life and may his 
declining sun set brilliantly in a cloudless sky. 

He has a son, J. F. Sellers, who is honorably filling the 
position of Professor of Natural Sciences in Mercer Univer- 
sity, Macon, Ga. Another son, his eldest, has been for a num- 
ber of years in the express business and is a favored employee 
of the company he serves. His eldest daughter is the wife 
of Rev. W. C. Lattimore, Belton, Texas. The other daugh- 
ters are unmarried and are still at home with their parents. 

J. H. Shackleford was born in Tippah county, Miss., 
August 21, 1861, and died July 11, 1890. The subject of this 
notice was a remarkable character. From early childhood 
his noble, manly and orderly deportment; his earnest devo- 
tion to his family and friends and his faithfulness to every 
duty, marked him as one destined to wield great influence for 
good. When quite a youth he professed faith in Christ and 
united with the Clear Creek Baptist church, Tippah county, 
Miss. He was licensed to preach in the Spring of 1885, and 
was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry December 
27, 1885. He rapidly developed into an efficient preacher 
and pastor. He served as missionary for the State Board 
within the bounds of Tippah Association for one or two years, 
and did much to awaken interest in the Master's cause in 
destitute fields, as well as to strengthen many weak churches. 
He served churches in Tippah Association and also in Tish- 
omingo. All his charges prospered wonderfully. The last 
year of his active ministry he baptized more than a hundred 
into the fellowship of the churches with which he labored, 
all or nearly all of whom were converted under his ministry. 
For more than a year preceding his death he was a great 
sufferer from diseases of the throat and lungs, which rendered 
him unable to prosecute his work. During all his sickness 
he was cheerful and resigned. He left a devoted wife, his 
father, mother, brothers, sisters and a host of friends to mourn 



6c6 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

their loss. " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." — D. 

M. A. Sheppard was born February 2, i860, in Lawrence 
county, Miss. His father was a farmer and occasionally held 
some county or beat office and was a deacon in a Baptist 
church. At the age of about eighteen he joined Xew Hope 
church, Marion county, Miss., and was baptized by Rev. R. 
R. Turnage. In the summer of 1884 he was licensed to preach 
by the same church, and entered Mississippi College the 
following fall. In the summer of 1888 his ordination was 
called for by Xew Hope church and on August 15, 1888, he 
was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry, Revs. 
R. R. Turnage, J. R. Carter and F. D. Baars constituting the 
presbytery. He taught and went to school until on June 23, 
1891, he was graduated from Mississippi College taking the 
degree of A. B. Since that time he lias been running a small 
farm in South Mississippi and preaching to churches in South 
Mississippi and North Louisiana. 

Milton 5. Shirk, son of Re^. Joseph Shirk, was born in 
Butler county, Ohio, November 27, 1818. When a child his 
parents moved to ( Oxford, Ohio, where he spent his boyhood 
days. At about fourteen years of age he matriculated a 
student of Miami University, at Oxford. Here he took his 
preparatory course. His father consenting, he now deter- 
mined to assume the responsibility of his further education, 
and to this end spent two years in teaching school, first in 
Missouri, and then in Kentucky. After this -he returned to 
college, going to Granville, Ohio, now known as Dennison 
University. 

Having exhausted his means, he again resumed teaching. 
He obtained a situation at Xashville, Tenn., and afterwards 
in Mississippi. With finances improved, and the way open- 
ing, he went now to Hamilton, New York, entering as a stu- 
dent. Madison University, known since as Colgate University, 
where he graduated from both the literary and theological 
departments in July, 1818. He was converted at seventeen 
years of age, and was baptized by Rev. Abraham Martin at 
Oxford, Ohio, into the fellowship of Oxford Baptist church, 
of which his father was pastor. While teaching at Xashville, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 607 

his membership was in the First Baptist church, R. B. C. 
Howell, D. D., pastor. On leaving Nashville for Mississippi, 
his route lay over the Cumberland Mountains. Traveling on 
horseback, as the only means, he stopped on the mountains 
with a citizen for a few days' rest. Those mountaineers he 
soon found to be a plain, kind-hearted, ignorant people, and 
to have been lately beguiled by a Catholic priest going among 
them and from house to house teaching them to pray 
to saints and to confess their sins only to the priest. 
Everywhere he had distributed tracts and leaflets with 
catechisms, and forms of prayer, and picture representa- 
tions of the saints. He felt that then and there God had 
something for him to do. A night meeting was proposed. 
Quite a goodly number came out. His theme was, the 
Bible in contrast with the teachings of those" Catholic tracts, 
etc. The people seemed interested. Another meeting was 
appointed for the next night, when he talked to them again. 
It was then proposed to have a meeting on Sabbath morning 
higher up the mountains. They met in a large log school 
house at 11 a. m, and in his inexperienced way he spoke 
to them, for the last time, the words of life and salvation 
through Christ alone. No remarkable dream, no wonderful 
vision, no voice from heaven, did he ever hear, commanding 
him to preach the gospel. Yet he loves the work — 

He "loves to tell the story 
Of unseen things above; 

Of Jesus and his glory, 
Of Jesus and his love." 
Coming to Mississippi, after teaching school for about 
one year, he attended the meeting of the Baptist State Con- 
vention, held at that time, 1845, with the Baptist church at 
Grenada, Miss. By the advice of a committee of the con- 
vention he gave his church letter in to the Preston 
Baptist church, Yalobusha county, Rev. H. B. Hay ward 
pastor, and accepted license to preach the gospel. He was 
recommended to itinerate for one year in the bounds of the 
convention. God blessed the work, and during the year 
some four hundred and fifty members were added to the 
different churches. In this work he was aided, as circum- 
stances required, by Revs. James G. Hall, of Grenada and H. 



6o8 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

B. Hay ward of Preston chiefly. During the period of his 
itinerancy one remarkable incident occurred. \ isiting a 
certain neighborhood on a Saturday, he sought to preach the 
Word, but was confronted by a whiskey seller who had 
perched a barrel of whiskey on some rails stuck through the 
fence on the opposite side of the cross-roads. Preaching was 
announced, but only half a dozen came in, the crowd paid 
their devotions to the whiskey barrel. Xot to be outdone a 
night service was appointed. The private house was over 
half full; at the Sunday morning service, he had twenty to 
twenty-five in attendance. Continuing these meetings 
monthly for a time, and some interest being awakened, a 
meeting of days was appointed. The time came and with it 
a large concourse of people, all seated under an arbor. After 
a day or two several professed a hope in Christ, and expressed 
a wish to unite with the church. Opportunity was given but 
no one came forward. As the meeting progressed others 
still were converted, but no move toward a confession of 
Christ. It was then found that no one of them had ever seen 
a member received for baptism, and they did not know what 
to do or how to act. Explanation was given and thirty-four 
came forward and were received, baptized, and organized 
into a Baptist church. He has never met with a parallel case. 
At a meeting of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, held with 
the Columbus Baptist church in April, ls4<i. by request of 
the Preston church, a presbytery was selected and he was 
publicly ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry by 
Revs. John Micou, Basil Manly, Sr.. D. D., and Isaac McCoy. 
He has been married three times; first to Miss Eliza S. Wash- 
burn, and after her death. 1871, to her youngest sister, Miss 
Emma H. Washburn, who died in 1886. In December. L888, 
he was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Jesse, who still 
survives. In all these several relations he has been most 
signally blessed. 

Having graduated at Hamilton. N. Y., he returned south 
and located in Monticello, Lawrence county, Miss., as presi- 
dent of Pearl River Institute, a school of about one hundred 
scholars. Resigning this situation he located in Liberty, 
Amite county. Miss., where he established the Amite Female 
Seminary in 1853. This was continued with large and in- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS teg 

creasing 1 patronage until broken up by the war, and his ex- 
tensive college building, with contents, was burned by the 
enemy. During all these years he had the pastoral care of 
three to five churches which he served monthly. Additions 
by baptism aggregated nearly one thousand souls. In 1868 
he removed to New Orleans and was pastoral supply of Col- 
iseum Baptist church, resigning to accept the presidency of 
Shreveport University. During the second annual vacation 
of this school he was called to bury his beloved wife Eliza- 
beth S. Shirk. Resigning now his position as principal of 
the school, he sadly bent his steps back to Mississippi, locat- 
ing finally at Osyka, Pike county, where he is now living. 
The tombstone in its cemetery tells the resting place of the 
remains of his devoted Emma. In a life prolonged, now, to 
more than three score years and ten, and a ministry extended 
to nearly fifty years, he has seen almost the .entire Baptist 
ministry of the State changed. In his heart are embalmed the 
memory of W. H. Holcombe, W. Carey Crane, S. S. Parr, 
S. S. Latimore, H. B. Hayward, Jas. G. Hall, the giants of 
former days. Next to these came E. C. Eager and Henry 
Pittman, who still linger on the shores of time. Then the 
Middletons, Minters, Norvel Robertson, William Mullins, 
Samuel Mullins, Thomas Bond, Samuel Bullock, Zach. 
Reeves, Jesse Crawford, Ham McKnight and others of more 
recent memory, all men of God and greatly blessed in their 
work of winning souls to Christ. These all " rest from their 
labors and their works do follow them." Most of these were 
what would be called illiterate men, though men of strong 
native talent, of ardent piety and burning zeal for God. 
These were largely the pioneer corps, and largely and well did 
they prepare the way for the coming army of the equipped 
soldiers of the cross. Since his coming to Mississippi, in 
1848, a new era has dawned upon the Baptists of this State. 
God in his providence directed the steps of mother Hamil- 
ton's student south, and finally located him in Clinton, Hinds 
county, in charge of the educational interest of our rising 
ministry. In this department he has well and faithfully 
worked, and to-day, in point of scholarship and efficiency, 
the Baptist ministry of Mississippi is entitled to a first rank. 
Since then, too, the aggregate of churches and membership, 



6lO MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

communicants, has more than doubled. For all this, more 
than to any other, we are indebted under God to W. S. Webb, 
D.D. 

The statistics of Mr. Shirk's ministry can only be given 
from memory, as his memorandum book was lost during 
the war. The number of sermons preached may be put down 
at six thousand; number of baptisms two thousand; number 
of marriages four hundred; number added to the churches 
with whom he has labored in protracted meetings six hundred. 
To God and his Christ be all the praise. He is still in the' 
active ministry, in the pastorate, and whether many or few 
days yet be allotted to him he would spend them all in the 
work. 

S. W. Sibley was born July 15, 1848, in Yazoo county,, 
Mississippi. He was reared on a farm. He was converted 
at about the age of fourteen. Soon after his conversion he 
joined a military company and says he became very, very 
cold and wicked. At the age of nineteen, however, by the 
wooing of God's Spirit and religious influences, he was re- 
claimed from this sad and wicked wandering, and entered the 1 
Master's service heartily. Soon- thereafter he felt impressed 
to preach. He entered Mississippi College about 1870. He 
was there only one month when a severe spell of sickness 
prevented further attendance that session. But he entered 
again in the fall of 1872, and remained in pursuit of his col- 
legiate studies a part of two terms. Financial pressure 
caused him to leave again. He taught school on Fair River 
in Lawrence county. After some twelve months he returned 
to Yazoo county. He spent two years in preaching and teach- 
ing, and entered Mississippi College again. From this college 
he was graduated in June, 1877, with the degree of B. S. He 
was pastor of Mound Bluff and New Hope churches, in Ma- 
dison county, twelve years after leaving the college. In the 
fall of 1878 he entered the Southern Baptist Theological Sem- 
inary, Louisville, Ky., and remained there until the summer 
of 1880. At the beginning of 1880 he was called to the im- 
portant pastorate of the Corinth church, and entered heartily 
into the work. Feeling that " whoso findeth a wife findeth 
a good thing, and obtain^th Cavor of the Lord/' he was mar- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS, 6ll 

riecl during his first year at Corinth, to Miss Afoby Thigpen, 
daughter of S. J. Thigpen, of Raymond,, Miss. He spent 
1880 and 1881 in the service of the Corinth church. In 1882 
he was called to Okolona and Verona churches. Here again 
he put in his best energies and served these churches well for 
two years. Receiving an invitation he became pastor of the 
Hazlehurst church. In this pastorate he wrought well and 
God wrought with him. He served this church for four years,, 
ever growing in the affections of the people. Owing to ill health 
- and a broken limb, 1888 was spent by him at home, in revival, 
meetings and in traveling for the "Baptist Record." In 1889 • 
he was invited to the pastorate of the church at Summit. In: 
this important church he has done an excellent work. It was. 
our privilege to attend the Baptist State Convention, held, ini 
1893, with pastor Sibley and his people, and it was beautiful! 
to see the mutual attachment which existed between them. 
He ever grew in their esteem, but, alas, there must be separa- 
tions in this world. The hand of providence seemed to point 
pastor Sibley to another field and in the fall of 1894 he bade 
them a sad adieu in order to accept the pastorate of the Mc- 
Combe City Baptist church, where his labors begin January 1, 
1895. 

D. M. Sims died at his home in McCool, Miss., Febru- 
ary 1, 1890, aged seventy-three years and three months. 
Brother Sims was one of the pioneer preachers of this country. 
It was through the agency of Brother Sims, that many of 
the churches of this country were organized and built up. 
His afflictions were long and severe. Nearly seventeen 
months he was confined to the house, but he expressed perfect 
submission to the will of the Lord. Brother Sims* leaves 
an aged companion, three children, a number of grand-chil- 
dren and many friends to whom we extend our sympathy in 
this their bereavement. — W. H. H. Fancher. 

J. W. Sims, son of D. M. Sims, has long been pastor - 
in this body. When first impressed with the duty of preach- 
ing he was aided by the association and spent a time in Mis- 
sissippi College while Dr. T. J. Walne was there. For a 
number of years he has been, and now is, earnestly engaged 



6l2 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



in preaching the gospel. His work has been blessed to the 

conversion of many souls. All esteem him as a man of piety 
and zeal in the work of the Lord. Nothing so impresses 
itself upon his hearers as that he feels himself unworthy and 
relies implictly upon the arm of the Lord. He is still living 
and earnestly engaged in the work of the Lord. It is em- 
phatically true of J. W. Sims that he is "abundant in labors/' 
His present address is Plattsburg, Winston county, Missis- 
sippi. 



Ezekias Z. Simmons was born near Corinth, Alcorn 
county, Mississippi, March 1, 1847. He was baptized at Kos- 




REV. E. Z. SIMMONS. 



suth, Mississippi, in 1861 at the age of fifteen. While a mere 
boy he served two years under General Wheeler, in the Con- 
federate army. After the war, he studied as health and means 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 613 

would allow, at Georgetown and Bethel Colleges, Kentucky. 
He was ordained to the full work of the ministry in 1869. On 
the 23d of November, 1870, he was married to Miss Maggie 
D. Clamrock; and the 3d of December following they sailed 
for Canton, China, as missionaries- of the Foreign Mission 
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. 

Mr. Simmons is a native of Hardman county, Tenn., but 
being early left an orphan, was reared by an uncle in Florence, 
Ala. Failure in health made a return to America imperative 
in 1874. For a time they labored among the Chinese, in 
California, under the American Baptist Home Mission Society. 
He then spent two sessions in the Southern Baptist Theolog- 
ical Seminary at Louisville, Ky. In February, 1880, Mr. and 
Mrs. Simmons, with fully restored health, returned to China. 
His labors consist largely of itinerating tours up the several 
navigable forks of the Canton River, and have been greatly 
blessed in the conversion of many heathen. Mr. Simmons 
has been and is still one of the most devout and consecrated 
of our missionaries. During his visits to the home-land he 
has often mingled in the assemblies of Mississippi Baptists 
and his presence is always a pleasure and benediction. On 
one occasion he met with the Baptist State Convention, in 
Starkville, a short time previous to his return to China. In 
concluding an address of real pathos he said, in substance: 
" Now, brethren, I must tell you good-bye. I go soon to my 
home and work beyond the ocean waste. We may not meet 
again on the shores of time. Meet me in the better land." 
But his emotions so overwhelmed him that he could not speak 
and took his seat with tears rolling down his cheeks. While 
perhaps he has not invested his work with the glamor and 
romance which has been thrown around the work of some 
of our missionaries, he is nevertheless doing honest, self-sac- 
rificing and consecrated work and his whole heart is in his 
work. During Dr. R. H. Graves' absence from China Mr. 
Simmons was pastor of the First Baptist church, Canton, 
China. While Dr. Graves is on the field he engages in a 
general evangelistic work as already mentioned. 

W. L. Skinner leaves the State. His resignation has 
been (1890) offered to his churches, Corinth and Iuka to take 



614 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

effect in December. He has not yet fully decided where his 
future home will be — most probably in Texas. This an- 
nouncement will sadden many hearts. For fourteen years 
Bro. Skinner has faithfully served churches in the Tishomingo 
Association. These have been years of development and 
progress in many directions. He was the first among us, 
to depend entirely on the churches for a support, that he 
might give himself "continually to prayer and to the min- 
istry of the word." They did not disappoint him. Under 
his wise management as chairman of our Executive Board, 
our State and foreign work assumed its present proportion. 
His consecrated life, his faithfulness in presenting the word 
of life, his deep sympathy for mankind, and his tact as an 
earnest pastor added to his skill in raising funds for the "fur- 
therance of the gospel" have made an impression on every 
part of the association and won for him a warm place in all 
our hearts. May God bless him and his noble family where- 
ever they may go. Yours in labor and hope. — J. H. Taylor. 

L890. — Rev. W. L. Skinner announced to the church 
here (Corinth) yesterday that he expected to leave the State- 
on January 1st. and therefore could not serve as its pastor 
longer than that time. The church has been very prosperous 
during his pastorate. Twenty-nine accessions this year and 
over two thousand dollars raised for sundry purposes. The 
old church building is being torn away and work will begin 
on the new this week. The new church is estimated to cost 
from eight thousand to ten thousand dollars. — J. D. Bills. 

Mr. Skinner now lives in Brownwood, Texas, and is as 
full of work as ever. 

William L. Slack, M. D., son of Elijah and Sophia 
Slack, was born April 5, 1819, on Fourth Street, Cincinnati, 
Ohio. His father was a Presbyterian minister of talent and 
influence; he was also for many years Professor of Chemis- 
try and Pharmacy in the old Medical College of Ohio, located 
in Cincinnati. In the year 1836 Dr. Elijah Slack moved 
with his family to Brownsville, West Tennessee. Here his 
son, William L., assisted his father in teaching for three years 
in the Brownsville Academy. In 1839 Dr. W. L. Slack- 
moved to Bolivar, where he taught a classical school until 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 615 

the fall of 1840, at which time he attended medical lectures 
in Louisville, Ky., to prepare himself for a practicing physician. 
He then settled in Denmark, Term., at which place he mar- 
ried Miss Sarah Johnson, a lady of piety and intelligence and 
a member of the Baptist church. In 1842 he removed to 
Belmont, Tenn., where he taught a classical school with great 
acceptance. In 1845 he returned to Denmark, Tenn., and 
took charge of a classical school which he taught eight years. 
Dr. Slack was, at this time, a member of the Presbyterian 
church at Denmark, Tenn. Though possessed of great filial 
affection, and a high respect for the talents and piety of his 
venerable father, his knowledge of "the Greek often awakened 
doubts in his own mind with reference to the scriptural author- 
ity for the doctrines and ordinances of the church in which he 
was brought up, and which he had once regarded as almost 
infallible, connected with which were father, mother, sisters 
and brothers, the nearest and dearest of all earthly ties. These 
doubts he tried in vain to subdue, but once awakened, noth- 
ing less than a thorough investigation of the subjects of these 
doubts could satisfy his investigating mind. Many circum- 
stances arose to create a feeling of disquiet, with reference to 
the performance of Christian duty. Once convinced that 
immersion alone is Scriptural baptism, he felt that he never 
had been baptized; for what can an infant know of believer's 
baptism? Then, if he had not been baptized, the Scrip- 
tures furnishing no authority for infant sprinkling, as a believer 
it was his duty to obey this ordinance of the gospel as 
taught in the divine Word. To know what duty and truth 
required, was, with him, but to perform it, however great 
the sacrifice of feeling 1 or worldly interest. Surrounded by 
kindred and friends to whom he was fondly attached, none but 
one similarly situated can realize how great was the trial to 
sever these social and religious ties by a change of 
church relations. Something of this may be gathered 
from the letter addressed to the members of the 
Presbyterian church of which he had been a mem- 
ber, written on the morning of his baptism into the 
fellowship of the Big Black Baptist church, near Den- 
mark, Tenn., which is as follows: 

Denmark, Tenn., September 13, 1847. My Dear Breth- 



616 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. " 

ren: — It is with much sorrow and regret that I address you 
this morning, in view of the step which I shall take this day. 
I feel it my duty solemnly before God, as I have to answer 
for myself, and not for another, to withdraw myself from the 
Presbyterian and attach myself to the Baptist church. A can- 
did earnest and lengthy investigation of the Word of God 
has led me to this solemn determination. God knows my 
heart; that I love the Presbyterian church, and especially the 
one to which I have been attached for several years. Raised 
and educated by Presbyterian parents, surrounded all my life 
by its influences and affections, my heart is full of the keenest 
- sorrow at the thought of withdrawing from under its great 
and widespread banner, and from brethren and sisters whom 
I have long cherished with a fond and sincere attachment. 
But God's Word is my guide in this life — it will hold me 
responsible in the great day of reckoning, and to have obeyed 
it on earth while surrounded by trial and temptation, will be 
a source of infinite and unalloyed happiness in the kingdom, 
and around the throne of God, in heaven. May the Lord 
of Righteousness incline your hearts to look upon your 
brother in charity, and still to continue the affectionate regard 
which you have ever manifested toward him, and which he 
so ardently desires. — W. L. Slack. 

A few hours after the above letter was written he was 
baptized in the Big Black, by Dr. Bateman, his pupil, who 
was at that time pastor of the Baptist church at this place. 
In "Slack's Reasons for Becoming a Baptist," a little work 
published at Nashville by J. R. Graves, a short time after 
his baptism, all the reasons are given for this change of church 
relations. Impressed with the belief that it was his duty to 
preach the gospel, he was by the unanimous consent of the 
Denmark (formerly Big Black) Baptist church, of which he 
was a member, ordained to the ministry on the fourth Lord's 
day in May, 1852, the presbytery being Revs. C. C. Connor, 
G. W. Young, and a brother Miller, whose given name is not 
remembered. He was at that time pastor of the Baptist 
church in Jackson, Tenn. Rev. C. C. Connor, a most elo- 
quent preacher, president of the West Tennessee Baptist Con- 
vention for many years, preached the ordination sermon ; Rev. 
G. W. Young, a most excellent and devoted pastor, made 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 617 

the ordination prayer, and Rev. Mr. Miller delivered the 
charge. Dr. Slack afterwards served this (Denmark) church 
as pastor during the years 1852 and 1853. Much as he de- 
sired to perpetuate kind relations with the churches" to which 
he had belonged, his change of church relations resulted in 
bitter animosities. This prompted the members of Big Black 
church to invite Dr. J. R. Graves to discuss the subject of 
infant baptism and kindred topics, with Reuben Burrow, a 
Cumberland Presbyterian, which he did in a masterly manner, 
utterly demolishing the grounds that Burrow advocated. At 
the close of this debate, the excitement became so great, after 
Mr. Gillespie, the presiding minister at Denmark, arose to 
speak, that when Dr. Graves attempted to reply, he was 
roughly ordered to sit down. Glancing with his eagle eye 
over the excited audience, he paused an instant, when with a 
significant wave of the hand, he exclaimed: "You here see, 
my friends, a fair exemplication of the spirit of pedo-baptism." 
The debate closed in utter confusion. Wishing to be prop- 
erly understood alike by friends and foes, Dr. Slack prepared 
and had published, " Slack's Reasons," a little work that has 
found great favor with the Baptists. After the debate refer- 
red to, Dr. Graves held a protracted meeting at Big Black, 
which continued two weeks with wonderful interest, and 
resulted in the conversion and baptism of nearly one hundred 
persons. In the fall of 1853 Dr. Slack received and accepted 
a call to the presidency of the Mary Washington College, at 
that time a flourishing Baptist school, located near Pontotoc, 
Miss. In the same year he became pastor of the Pontotoc 
Baptist church, which he has served in that capacity (except 
a short period that Dr. Bateman was pastor) up to the present 
time, a period of nearly twenty-three years. During this pas- 
torate an amount of harmony and unanimity have existed be- 
tween pastor and members, seldom found in any church. 

In August, 1859, Mrs. Sarah Slack died, leaving two chil- 
dren — Mary Emma, and James T. The daughter died in her 
seventeenth year, at the Mary Sharpe College, Winchester, 
Tenn. ' The son, a promising young man and a member of the 
Baptist church at Pontotoc, still lives. In March, 1861, Dr. 
Slack married at Friar's Point, Miss., Mrs. Angie S. Smith, a 
cfecided Baptist, a lady of rare qualifications of heart and edu- 



618 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

cation. She, also, is the mother of two children — William M. 
A. and Mary Angie. During the war, Dr. Slack, by the re- 
quest of many friends, remained at home employed in his pro- 
fession, practicing and furnishing medicines to the soldiers' 
families, free of charge, a part of the time. During this strug- 
gle, hundreds of Confederate soldiers were fed, many clothed. 
and not a few kindly cared for in sickness for weeks at a time, 
free of charge. In all this. Dr. Slack found a willing helper 
in his wife. A firm defender of Southern rights during the 
war, the surrender left him, like thousands of others, deprived 
of nearly everything but a clear conscience and a home that 
had been many times robbed of almost everything valuable. 
Soon after the war, the necessity of a good Baptist school be- 
coming apparent, Mrs. Angie Slack originated the Baptist Fe- 
male Seminary, which continued to increase in patronage and 
favor until 1870, at which time Dr. Slack became president. 
CJnder his masterly management, this school, self-erected, self- 
sustaining, has continued to increase in favor, not only with 
Baptists, but with the patrons of thorough education, wherever 
it is known. After Dr. Slack became a minister of the gospel, 
hi yearly served from one to four churches as pastor. Modest 
and unpretending; ever avoiding, rather than seeking notor- 
iety; his best efforts were often made where no reporter her- 
alded abroad the heart-searching and sublime gospel truths 
uttered by the speaker. ( )f the estimation in which his talents 
and fitness for controlling and training the young for useful- 
ness in life is held, he has had many flattering evidences in the 
solicitations of friends in his own State, in California and other 
places, to build up educational interests. Such is a brief out- 
line of the life of Dr. William L. Slack, as known to the writer. 
May he long live, not to dazzle the world by a false notoriety, 
but to make it wiser and better by his precepts and example. 
— Borum's Sketches. 

That was written fourteen years ago fin 1880). Dr. Slack 
continued his work in the Female Seminary at Pontotoc until 
1881, when he removed to Friars Point and became mission- 
ary pastor of the Baptist church, partly supported by tlie State 
Board. In that capacity he labored on at Friar's Point until 
1891. During his residence at Friar's Point he had the mis- 
fortune to lose his wife, Mrs. Angie S. Slack, leaving him a 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 619 

second time bereaved of a wife's gentle influence. In 1891 he 
became pastor of the Rowan Memorial Baptist church in the 
city of Memphis, where he now (Nov., 1894), lives and labors. 

A. M. Slaydon was bom in Texas, September 15, 1826. 
His father, a Virginian, was a professional dancing master and 
never made any profession of religion. His mother was Miss 
Mary Bell, and was raised in Louisiana on or near Bell's Is- 
land, west of New Orleans. She was a Methodist. The son 
remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, under 
her religious training. None of his connections on either side, 
so far as known to him were Baptists and none were ever 
preachers. He was raised in Texas and Southwest Louisiana, 
with only seven weeks of school training, his father being a 
poor man and often moved. The dear old mother would read 
for the children and try to instruct them the best she could, 
and teach them to be good boys and girls, join the church 
and be Christians, after the manner' of her church training 
and the theory of her ministers. He loved his mother, but 
the old nature was so strong he fell into his father's habits, 
and, leaving his mother's counsel, sought social mirth with 
eagerness. From this search for social pleasure he fell into 
vices and crimes which now fill him with pain. Being so vile 
and full of sin, as he says, he was blind to his true condition 
having in mind the oft-taught anti-Scriptural idea of "quit 
your meanness," and was "dead in sins." His father dying, he 
still continued thus, thinking when he married he would quit 
his meanness, settle down and be a Christian. On one occasion, 
on the way to visit a friend in Calcasieu parish, La., he found 
himself mentally exhorting sinners to repent when the thought 
occurred to him, you would better repent yourself, and hence 
he began to realize his sins. The conviction soon wore off. 
A year later he went to hear a young Baptist preacher, and was 
then deeply convicted and found no rest until he found it in 
an humble hope in Jesus Christ, some six or seven years 
later. During these years he was fighting against the convic- 
tion and against believing, often going into sin, his conscience 
lashing him, to make his sinner friends believe he was not 
thinking of religion, but was in great trouble, such as cannot 
be told. He was in love with a Miss Smith, who he had re- 



620 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

solved to marry, she reciprocating, and then be a Christian, 
though then there was no engagement between them. He 
came to Hancock county, Mississippi, and there to his surprise 
met this young lady for whom he was searching, feeling that 
a Higher Power had led him. He married, thinking, as before, 
he would "get religion" and settle down. Strange to say, he 
felt all this time as strong a conviction that he must preach as 
after his conversion. He then also felt burdened with the 
thought that his lack of learning would be a serious hindrance 
in preaching. Here he was, deeply convicted of sin, feeling 
the weight of duty to preach, and grieved that he was so poorly 
qualified for that work! There would also arise in his mind 
trouble as to which is Christ's church. He went to his library 
— Webster's Spelling Book, Walker's Primary Dictionary and 
a family Testament — with God as teacher, pine-knots as his 
lamp, and studied at night. He learned to read, prayed God 
to let him find peace of soul. He looked to the law; that was 
condemnation. One day, as he was laboring with his hands 
and praying in his heart for pardon, there came into his mind 
the Scripture ; "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness 
to every one that believeth," when a flood of light was poured 
upon his soul and he found peace and was so happy! He 
thought, That is so plain: I can and must tell poor sinners 
of this way — just trust Jesus! He then went to God's Word 
to search for the way — the church — to serve him. Christ said, 
Follow me! He went to hear many preachers preach. He 
found the missionary Baptists preaching — as Christ and Paul 
said — that "the Son of man came to seek and save the lost," 
and as John said, "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth 
us from all sin;" and that "he that believeth and is baptized 
shall be saved." Further, the Baptists agreed with Paul, "We 
are buried with him by baptism into death" to symbolize our 
death to sin, also to represent the burial, and resurrection of 
Christ. "In fact," he says, "I found in the Baptist churches 
of that day just what Christ and his Apostles taught in the 
New Testament, and not until I was assured of this did I de- 
cide to cast my lot with them." He felt bound to preach if 
he joined the church, and he felt so unworthy and insufficent 
for this work; his wife also was Methodist in sentiment, so that 
he stood out for a time. His mother a Methodist, his father- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 621 

in-law a Methodist, his wife a Methodist and he a thorough 
Baptist from prayerful study of the New Testament. He 
prayed that his mother might see the light and that his father- 
in-law might see it. His mother, he believes in answer to his 
prayers, investigated and became a Baptist as he had done. 

A further trouble was that as he had been so wicked the 
church would stand in doubt of him unless he could convince 
them that he was a changed man. So he prayed for "an ex- 
perience of grace" to tell them but received nothing more than 
mentioned above — the relief from his burden on that day, his 
love for God and his people. He talked with his wife as to 
God's way of saving sinners, but she laughed at his "peculiar 
ideas" as she called them. He was pained that she could not 
enter sympathetically into his new found hope. When he 
spoke to her of joining a Baptist church she would say. "Why 
do you want to join the church? You are a better Christian 
than one-half of the church members." He was made to hesi- 
tate, his conscience was uneasy, he went to church and prayed 
for help to live a Christian life, that his wife might be led to 
go with him into the church, and would often promise himself 
to join, but did not. He says; "I was ashamed to own my 
Lord, and to follow him in baptism." He was much interested 
in a meeting he attended September, 1855, resolving to do his 
duty, but with a heavy heart failing from day to day to do so. 
One morning a sister-in-law said: "I want to join the church 
and want you to join with me. If you will father will not 
scold me for joining." He told her to join, that he never 
could. However, he went forward for prayers and his heart 
was engaged in praying for boldness to do his duty. It was 
given and that day he united with a Baptist church, forgetting 
an impressive dream he had intended telling the church, and 
simply saying: "Tongue cannot express my feelings. One 
thing I know, I love God, and the people of God." Sunday 
following he, with thirteen others, were baptized. Just ten 
years later he baptized fourteen (the same number) at the same 
spot, and his attention was called to the fact by a brother who 
was baptized with "him. When he joined the church there 
were not over forty Baptists in Hancock county — only three 
small churches. 

One week later Mr. Slaydon began to exercise in public and 



622 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

for several years was at work all the time of his leisure for 
the Lord's cause, and during the thirty-eight years of his ser- 
vice for Christ he has never done anything for the Lord's 
cause that he regrets or is ashamed of. He has not turned 
aside from "the faith once delivered to the saints.'' He has 
ever taught that. God is a sovereign and his Word is our only 
rule of faith and practice, in all doctrine, conduct and ordi- 
nances. He has no record of work done and can only rely 
upon his memory. After exercising in public one year he 
was licensed to preach, in 1856. Nine months later he was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry, the presbytery being 
W. H. Yarnado and E. W. Moore. He did a great deal of 
preaching and a number were converted under his preaching 
before he was ordained. He began preaching in a Catholic 
community in 1856, where, in 1857, a church was organized 
with twenty-seven members and grew greatly under his min- 
istry for two years. He was succeeded by Rev. T. B. Mitchell, 
who had grown up and been ordained there; and he two years 
later by Rev. R. R. Breland who had also grown up and had 
been ordained. This church died some twenty years ago, 
after moving its location. Mr. Slaydon last winter began 
preaching at the original location and has a gratifying prospect 
for again organizing there and building a house. He has 
spent his strung manhood in God's service, and has baptized 
hundreds. He often now meets persons with white hair, 
whom he has forgotten who tell him that he has baptized them. 
He has baptized some who are now preaching: Hard}' Smith 
who is a good man, Jean Vane, said to be an able minister; 
and others. For fifteen years of his ministerial life he 
preached regularly to four and sometimes five churches and 
they always prospered. Every thing he touched seemed to 
succeed. He never said to a church, give me so much. He 
did not need it nor want it. Finally he concluded he was 
under no obligations to the churches, and, as there were 
preachers of a better type, he would rest and make money to 
build churches about in the country. He went to merchandis- 
ing. He did well, but was miserable. He preached some 
meanwhile, a few times monthly. He got a saw-mill. He lost 
all of his property ; but was then really happy. He even did 
financially more for his churches than they did for him, with 






MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 623 

one exception. He trusted in God for all things needed. One 
church once promised to pay him sixty dollars; he .expected 
fifty, but received nothing. So he never trusts men since. He 
says ; "Trust Christ for salvation ; God for care and protection ; 
the church as your friends." He tells his churches it is their 
duty to give, but they must not give grudgingly. He has bap- 
tized several Roman Catholics, one or two Latter Day Saints 
(Mormons), several Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Camp- 
bellites, and many Methodists. His first Methodist baptism 
was that of an old sister, who, with her husband, had been a 
Methodist forty years, converted to the Baptist faith 
by hearing him read the New Testament. He bap- 
tized her husband years after. Many Methodists would 
become angry with him for preaching on baptism 
and church polity, he has been assailed twice in 
words by Methodists preachers for preaching the true 
doctrine of the Bible in their presence. He was once waited 
on by a Methodist committee who told him he could not 
preach in a Union house, which he and other Baptists had 
helped to build, and said he would preach there, if not in the 
house then outside ; but was invited back into the house, as he 
told them he would preach Bible doctrine. The entire audi- 
ence was much interested till the close, except one man. One 
of the committee was baptized and others led in the way of 
truth. He says to preachers, God has given you his truth; 
preach it, and God will bless it to the salvation of his children 
and they will come out from the world and be saved on the 
terms of the gospel if they hear it right. 

He is at this time (1894) preaching to three churches and 
two mission stations. His wife has been greatly afflicted for 
several years, having suffered mentally from a spell of tyho- 
malarial fever, and feels that all of his time at home should be 
given to her. He says: "May the remainder of my days be 
spent with the same zeal I have ever felt in the Master's king- 
dom. I hope to do something in securing substantial aid for 
Brother L. S. Foster's Orphanage, when located. May God 
bless this mention of my life to the g'ood of those who come 
after me; and may his blessings rest upon all who , may read 
thus of Christ's humble servant, A. M. Slavdom" 



624 [MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Columbus Smith, on October 13, 1872, then residing at 
Tuskegee, Ala., was called to the pastorate of the Meridian 
Baptist church, now known as the First Baptist church of 
Meridian, Miss. As a man, he was of low stature, light hair, 
blue eyes, and rather florid complexion ; broad mouth, promin- 
ent nose with large dilating nostrils when animated. He was 
of a nervous temperament and suffered much from indigestion. 
He was a native of Georgia, was reared an Episcopalian, was 
well educated, studied law and preached for a number of years 
with moderate success, but abandoned the profession of law 
at the age of thirty-two and entered upon the ministry. At 
the time he came to Meridian he was about forty-three years of 
age. He was a hard student, and his course of study covered 
the whole range of literature. He was fluent and animated. 
His imagination was vivid, his style easy and graceful, and at 
times when greatly moved his speech flowed like the mountain 
torrent, sparkling here and there with brilliant gems of meta- 
phor and classic quotations. He was in every sense of the 
word a pulpit orator, far above the average, and the pews were 
always filled when he preached. He was a man of strong con- 
victions, and deep sympathy, and the burden of his sermons 
was generally the way of salvation. In reading from the 
gospel the account of the crucifixion great tears have been seen 
to chase each other down his cheeks, which, added to his 
splendid reading, would often find response in the flowing 
tears of his audience. He was possessed of all the elements 
of a great preacher, and but for his untimely death would have 
become famous. 

He was not a good pastor in the common acceptation ol 
the word. He was too much given to communing with him- 
self, his books and his God to give much time to what is called 
pastoral work, that is, visiting among the people and making 
himself agreeable and popular. Then his health, always pre- 
carious, would not admit of it; but he was ever ready to visit 
the sick and the distressed, and to pray with and comfort them. 
He was successively re-elected pastor for the years 1874 and 
1875, these elections taking place in October of the years pre- 
ceding. At the time of his election in October, 1874, he was 
in very bad health, and the church gave him leave of absence, 
and he went to Key West, Florida, under the belief that the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 625 

salt atmosphere, and, perhaps, a sea voyage, would restore 
him; but he grew steadily worse, and in December he tendered 
his resignation, which was accepted on the 6th of January, and 
a few days afterwards the sad news was received of his death. 
On the 20th of January, 1875, the church adopted resolutions 
respecting him, which are entered on pages 73 and 74 of the 
Minute Book of the church. 

A good, noble, fearless, consecrated and learned minister 
of the gospel was called to his reward. "Well, done, good and 
faithful servant; enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." On the 
first Sabbath in March this year (1875) a memorial service in . 
honor of the memory of Rev. Columbus Smith was held, at 
which Dr. E. B. Teague, of Alabama, preached the memorial 
sermon; able, eloquent and touching. The service was held 
in the new brick church, it being the first held in that church. 
Mr. Smith often chafed under the delay in getting into the new 
church, and looked forward with unfeigned delight to the day 
when it should be dedicated. His" funeral service was the first 
held in it. To him 

"Life's dream was past, 
All its sin, its sadness; 

Brightly at last 

Dawned a day of gladness," 
Brighter to him than that which ushered in the dedication of 
the new church which he so much longed for. "Blessed are 
the dead who die in the Lord." — Contributed by Capt. W. H. 
Hardy. 

J. A. Snyder, an excellent minister of Chrisf of the Central 
Association, who now resides in Jackson, Miss., is a man about 
forty-five years of age. He was ordained by some church in 
the Union Association, July 12, 1872. The presbytery con- 
sisted of Revs. C. M. Gordon and S. Buffkin. He was pastor 
of churches in Franklin county, and, moving to Jefferson 
county, he was the esteemed pastor of Fellowship and Rodney 
churches. He was also for some years moderator of Union 
Association. After some years in the pastorate he moved to 
Clinton for the purpose of securing educational facilities for 
his son and daughter. While there, living in his own house, 
and serving neighboring churches, he pursued his own studies. 



626 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

He had previously graduated in the college course in Mis- 
sissippi College, in the summer of 1879. Later than this, in 
the winter of 1885 and 1886 he moved to Jackson the State 
capital, where he now lives and is the efficient pastor of 
churches in Central Association. He is a preacher of excel- 
lent abilities, and culture, and is an efficient pastor. 

E. W. Spencer, the present able and efficient pastor of the 
church in the city of Macon, first appears in .Mississippi as an 
ordained minister in 1881; at which time his home was at 
.Fort Adams, Wilkinson county. He is next found at Wood- 
ville, in the same county, but in 188o he became pastor of the 
two influential and important churches of Sardis and Bates- 
ville, in Panola county, Northwest Mississippi. In this field 
of labor he remained for rive years, prosecuting his duties with 
energy and efficiency, and growing in influence and power in 
the town of Sardis where he resided. It was during his pastor- 
ate in these towns that the Sardis Baptist church determined 
to erect a new house of worship and built a very neat and ele- 
gant brick house, of modern style, commodious and conven- 
ient, costing, when finished and furnished, about five thousand 
dollars. In January, 1891, or about that time he gave up his 
pleasant pastorate with these two towns and accepted the pas- 
toral care of the church in Macon, the former scene of the 
eloquence of Lattiniore. Granville II. Martin, W. H. Carroll, 
and other eminent and talented ministers. He is now com- 
pleting the Fourth year of his pastorate with the Macon church, 
in which he has been eminently successful and where he is 
greatly loved and honored for his works' sake. May he be 
spared to us yet many years and may blessings still crown his 
labors. 

W. F. Spragins was born in Abbeville district, South Car- 
olina, December 18, 1827. He made a profession of religion 
in July, 1846, and joined the Baptist church at Enon, Pickens 

county, Ala. After feeling strong convictions of duty to 
preach he was licensed to preach by the South Carolina church, 
Ala., November 20, 1852. He was ordained to the full work 
of the gospel ministry by the same church in April, 1854. He 
came into the Columbus Association, Mississippi, January, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



627 



1866, and since that time has been partially engaged as pastor 
of some of its churches. "Since 1866 he has been the successful 
pastor of some of the most important country churches in this 
body, proving himself to be 'a workman that needeth not to 
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.' In addition 
to his pastoral work he has also filled the position of Associa- 
tional missionary, in which he did much good in strengthening 
weak churches, and was thus employed two years. As the 
missionary to the colored people, to which he devoted his 
whole time for a year, he accomplished excellent results. 
Though deprived of the privilege of a thorough education, he 
has educated himself quite accurately in Biblical knowledge. 
His views are generally sound and he is a safe guide for the 
churches in things religious. He is quite an impressive and 
practical preacher." — (History Columbus Association, page 
127.) Mr. Spragins still (1894) lives within the bounds of the 
Columbus Association, in his same home and besides his farm- 
ing interests preaches to neighboring churches as opportunity 
presents itself. He is a good man and highly esteemed by all 
who know him. 

Henry F. Sproles, 
D. D., was born near 
Castilian Springs, 

Holmes county, Mis- 
sissippi, January 17, 
1844. Of his early life 
there is not much to 
be said, as he has not 
given much infor- 
mation. In his boy- 
hood he was thrown 
often with Rev. Henry 
Pittman as his father's 
house was a preacher's 
home. Like all boys 
he was fond of riding- 
horses and usually 
REV. H. F. SPROLES, D. D. mac { e a critical exami- 

nation of the different horses which were entertained at his 
father's home. While a boy he had received the usual infor- 




628 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

mation of the presence of a goat in every Masonic lodge, in 
Durant he determined to find the goat, and accordingly 
climbed a tree from which he entered the lodge through a 
window. He did not find the goat but he saw painted on the 
wall a large eye which seemed to be looking at him wherever 
he went. In no part of the room could he escape the search- 
ing gaze of that eye. It made a profound impression upon 
him, and in later years he has used this incident as an illustra- 
tion of the omnipresence of God. In a letter to the "Religious 
Herald" of October 1, 1885, Rev. G. F. Williams, Ridge 
Spring, S. C, writes: 

"The Ways of Providence. — Rev. H. F. Sproles: — In the 
letter to the 'Herald' of August 6th, relative to the Mississippi 
State Convention, Rev. H. F. Sproles is mentioned as the 
Secretary of the Convention— an office which he has held for 
some years, and which is only one of the offices he holds in 
the work of the denomination, both religious and educational. 
My first acquaintance with him was in the winter of 1864 and 
ls(;.~i. I was then doing religious work in the Confederate 
army in and around Moblie, Ala., under the appointment of the 
Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 
one of the cotton warehouses where some soldiers had their 
quarters, after the sermon one daw Brother Sproles made him- 
self known to me as a Christian. He was a member of W'of- 
ford's Battery, Company 1), First Mississippi Light Artillery, 
which, having lost their guns at Vicksburg, were using Enfield 
rifles. I was at once impressed with Brother Sproles' dee]) 
interest in religion, which impression deepened at each subse- 
quent interview. Soon a revelation was made to me. ( >ne 
day, after services were over in our cotton warehouse sanc- 
tuary, as I was about to leave. Brother Sproles detained me. 
1 have something I wish to talk to you about.' In the most 
diffident manner, the young soldier at length succeeded in 
acquainting my ear with what no mortal ear had hitherto 
heard from his lips. It was this; 'I believe I ought to preach.' 
At that time he held the sentiment timidly and sought my 
opinion in the matter. It was to me one of those occasions 
when one fears to speak and yet dares not be silent. I think 
of the two I now became the more timid. To the best of my 
recollection, we had some warm and tearful words over the 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 629 

revelation. He has since said: T shall never forget the 
evening on which I told you of my convictions about preach- 
ing — how you gave me instruction and advice, but little, if any, 
encouragement. This was wise and best/ 

"The coming of the call to the ministry I give in his own 
words: 'A few days before I spoke to you, on the wharf in 
Mobile, and under an inverted canoe, while I was reading my 
Bible and praying, I concluded that God wished me to be a 
preacher. I was glad to yield. Strange time, place and cir- 
cumstances for such impressions!' Certain military duty had 
called him to the wharf, a moment snatched for devotion be- 
came momentous with a call from God, 'Go, preach the gos- 
pel.' There had been a previous surrender. Shortly after he 
was converted, at the age of thirteen, one day, while plowing 
and under a tree near his mother's grave, special religious feel- 
ings seized him and he gave himself up to Jesus 'for service.' 
He did not know in what direction and then and there asked 
Jesus to guide him. Not long after the call to preach in Mo- 
bile the preacher was apparently spoiled. Brother Sproles, 
with his company, were ordered across Mobile river to 
Blakely, to the fierce conflict of nearly the last engagement in 
the war. He was thrown out in line with the sharpshooters. 
At about 3 p. m., April 5, 1865, in the act of firing, he was 
struck by a minnie ball from the Federal lines. The ball en- 
tered his mouth, under his nose, tore all the teeth from the 
upper jaw on the left side, cut away a part of his tongue and 
all the bone of the lower jaw on that side, and lodged in his 
shoulder. He was sent immediately to the hospital in Mobile. 
I tried to talk to him there, but he could not speak and seemed 
hardly conscious. He was kept alive by pouring milk into 
his throat with a long-necked vessel. I helped to put him in 
a box car on the Mobile and Ohio railroad to be carried to the 
rear. I bade my embryo preacher adieu, never expecting to 
hear from him more — it seemed impossible for him to live. 
He passed on to Meridian, scarcely conscious of anything that 
transpired. He roused up there enough to write his father's 
name on paper and got sent home instead of to the hospital 
at Lauderdale. The doctors said, in his hearing, he must die. 
What passed in his mind on hearing their opinion, he has 
spoken of thus: 'When I could think, I recalled my impres- 



630 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

sions under the boat, and had about these thoughts; If I die, 
God or I have been mistaken. He would not call me to 
preach, unless he intended for me to do it. I could not be 
mistaken about my impressions, and God could make no 
mistakes; and so I concluded that I would live and vet preach 
the g< ■spel/ 

"The result was that at home he soon began to mend, and 
in a few months was well. My heart bounded one day, after 
mail facilities were restored, to get a letter from him. By the 
help of nature and art he regained enough mouth to speak. 
The war had turned him aside from his proposed college 
course. The need of education sorely -pressed him. In the 
winter of 1866 he studied under a preacher, a good and com- 
petent man, in an old-field school. He saw in some paper an 
advertisement of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 
and concluded that was the school for him, and resolved by 
God's help to enjoy its advantages, lie sold his horses for 
one hundred and fifty dollars, and with his father's help got 
through one session. This but sharpened his appetite for 
more of the training and knowledge of the Seminary. He re- 
turned tlie second year to the Seminary, and arrived there with 
only fifteen dollars. He worked his way through the other 
sessions, and in 1890 received a diploma as full graduate of the 
Seminary." Mr. Sproles was ordained t< > the full work of the 
ministry at Saron church, Holmes county, Miss., in August, 
L867, the presbytery being Revs. J. A. Linder and James New- 
man. During a portion of his Seminary course he was pastor 
of neighboring churches by whom he was held in the highest 
esteem. He studied under the late Dr. VVm. Williams, the 
lamented professor in the Seminary, and Prof. D. T. Smith, 
of Furman University, during two vacations, in order to be 
prepared for the work of the following session. Mr. G. F. 
Williams continues in the "Religious Herald :" "From the 
Seminary he went to the pastorate of the Baptist church at 
Carrollton, Miss., where he remained nine years, serving also 
some country churches. Thence he went to his present field, 
Jackson, Miss., where he has been five years. In this place of 
eight thousand people his work continues prosperous and 
promising. This with several positions of honor in the de- 
nominational enterprises, shows what has come of the young 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 631 

soldier called to preach, and then shortly afterwards wounded, 
with half his mouth and part of his tongue shot away. Let 
young men who have the ministry in view and obstacles to sur- 
mount take courage, persevere, and rise above them, to have 
a life crowned with usefulness in the service of the Master." 
He has remained with ever increasing usefulness and influ- 
ence, for fourteen years, and is now (November, 1894) the es- 
teemed pastor there. During this long term of service he has 
also been President of the Convention Board of Mississippi 
for nine years and recording secretary of the State Convention 
for twelve consecutive years. He is also and has been for 
some years a member of the Board of Trustees of Mississippi 
College. From this institution he received the honorary de- 
gree of D. D. in 1890. But the great work of his present pas- 
torate is the building of a Baptist church house and Mission 
rooms in the capital city of our State. In this work he and 
his church have been engaged for four years. The following, 
from the "New Orleans Picayune," will give some idea of this 
enterprise. 

The New Baptist church at Jackson: — In the early part of 
1890 a meeting of the members of this church was held to 
consider the matter of erecting a new house of worship. For 
over forty years the congregation had been meeting in the old 
brick building on the corner of West and Yazoo streets, which 
had seen its best days and was sadly out of repair. The 
Methodists had built a fine church on the same square, immed- 
iately east of the Baptist church, and the contrast was so great 
that all felt the imperative necessity of a new building of 
modern style. After some interchange of ideas it was agreed 
that "we undertake to build a new church, on our present lo- 
cation, to cost ten or twelve thousand dollars." But no 
sooner did this determination by the church get circulated 
than protests began to come in from Baptists outside of Jack- 
son, insisting that as the Baptist denomination was -the largest 
body of Christians in Mississippi, it should have a church 
building in the capital city which should be a credit to it and 
a fit representative of this great body of Christian workers. The 
leaders in this movement were Dr. J. B. Gambrell, of Meridian 
(now of Georgia); Rev. E. B. Miller, of Grenada (now of Ar- 
kansas); Captain John Powell, of Grenada, since deceased, 



6 3 2 



-MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



and Dr. W. T. Lowrey, of Blue Mountain. The matter was 
permitted to rest here until the convention at West Point, 
when a meeting was held at the instance of some of these 
gentlemen, and the question discussed by representative Bap- 
tists from every section of the State. The result was that the 
Jackson church was assured that if it would undertake to 
build a house to cost not less than twenty-five thousand dol- 
lars, the Baptists of the State outside of Jackson, would con- 
tribute three-fifths of the amount. A committee was also ap- 
pointed, consisting of the gentlemen heretofore named, to co- 




FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, JACKSON, MISS. 
operate with the local committee in selecting a more eligible 
site and plans for the building. 

The joint committee met at Jackson very soon after the 
State Convention adjourned and unanimously selected a lot 
on the corner of Capitol and President streets,'in the center of 
the city. This lot was immediately purchased at a cost of 
three thousand dollars. It lies eighty feet on President 
street and one hundred and sixty on Capitol, two squares from 
the United States post office and court house, and adjoining 
the Executive Mansion. The building committee on the 
part of the church consists of Dr. H. F. Sproles (pastor) 
chairman: J. T. Buck, secretary; Messrs. F. R Carloss L 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 633 

F. Chiles, R. M. Damaron, B. W. Griffith, F. H. Gulledge, 
David Shelton and Thomas McLelland. From the numerous 
elegant plans submitted, the committee selected one by Messrs. 
Valk & Son, of New York. The cut, which appears here- 
with, is copied from the photo-lithograph of the architect's 
design, and is therefore a correct representation of the com- 
plete building. As will be seen it is a one story building. It 
fronts sixty-seven feet on President street and about one hun- 
dred and thirty-five on Capitol street. The main entrance is 
through the tower on Capitol street but there are two en- 
trances from President. The auditorium is in the western 
part of the building and is sixty-five feet north and south by 
fifty-one feet east and west. The pulpit and choir platform 
is on the west side. The pastor's study and choir room are 
connected with the Auditorium, the seats are to be arranged 
in a semi-circle and will accommodate six hundred and sev- 
enty persons. The Sunday School or lecture room, in the 
east is separated from the auditorium by sliding doors, thus 
allowing both rooms to be thrown together when occasion 
requires. The Sunday-school room will seat two hundred 
and forty, so that the seating capacity is nine hundred and 
ten, to which can always be added one or two hundred seats 
if needed. Adjoining the Sunday-school room are three class- 
rooms, thus making the most complete Sunday-school accom- 
modations to be found in the State. In the east end, on Pres- 
ident street, there are three rooms which will be devoted to 
the use of the Mission Board and the central committee on 
women's work for the State, making this the Baptist headquar- 
ters for Mississippi. The eastern and southern sides are of 
pressed brick. The window sills, arches over entrance and 
trimmings generally are of rough stone, the steps to be of 
dressed stone. The windows and inside doors are to be of 
cathedral glass, the large window on Capitol street (shown 
in the cut) will present life-sized figures of John and Christ 
"coming up out of the water" after Christ's baptism ; the con- 
tract price of the glass being fifteen hundred dollars. In the 
walls of the mission rooms there will be four memorial tablets, 
upon which will be engraved the names of those pioneer Bap- 
tist preachers and other honored workers whose children or 
friends give as much as one hundred dollars towards building 



634 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the church. In the tower it is purposed to put a clock. It 
will cost ten thousand dollars to finish and furnish the house, 
and an effort is being made to get the money to do that this 
year. It is believed that five or six thousand dollars can be 
raised in Jackson for this purpose, and the indefatigable pas- 
tor is endeavoring to get an equal amount from outside par- 
ties. The worthy object is heartily commended to the con- 
sideration of all, especially the Baptists throughout the State. 
During the fourteen years of Dr. Sproles' pastorate the 
church has had a constant and healthy growth. Congrega- 
tions have been good and general prosperity has attended his 
work. As a pastor he cannot be excelled. He knows his 
members and impresses them that he is their sympathizing 
friend. Always active, he looks after the interests of his 
church with untiring energy. As a preacher, Dr. Sproles has 
few equals. Dr. John A. Broadus, president of the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary, says that he is one of the best 
sermonizers that ever left the institution. His sermons are 
full of thought, his interpretations of the Scripture are clear, 
concise and entirely independent of the ideas others have ad- 
vanced; not that he differs for the sake of differing, or to be 
thought original, but he impresses one with the idea that his 
chief concern is to get at the true meaning of the word of God. 

John Lee Sproles was born in Durant, Holmes county, 
Miss., on February 8, L863. Coming into this world the sec- 
ond year of the civil war, some have laughingly remarked, 
"The principles of secession seem to have been born in him." 
The subject of this sketch claims to have never been recon- 
structed. Being born soon after the famous battle at Chicka- 
saw Bayou, he proudly bore the name of Gen. S. D. Lee, its 
honored hero. He was converted at the age of ten years, un- 
der the preaching of the lamented heroic martyr of fever- 
stricken Grenada, Hiram T. Waddick. A series of meetings 
were being held in the Durant Baptist church by the aforesaid 
brother, assisted by Rev. A. V. Rowe. He was baptized in 
the Big Black river by Rev. J. H. Cochran, at that time pas- 
tor of the church. It has always been a source of gratification 
that he was baptized in a river. At the early age of twelve 
years he had decided impressions as to preaching. He never 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 635 

entered into the active work of the ministry until at the age 
of twenty-three years, and was licensed by the Ripley, Tenn., 
Baptist church, September, 188G. Immediately he began 
preparation for his life-work. He sat at the feet of Jorman, 
Irby, Denpree and Bourland, for three sessions in the South- 
western Baptist University, Jackson, Tenn. During the sum- 
mer of 1888, as the result of a meeting held by the subject of 
this sketch, assisted by Rev. C. L. Owen, a church was organ- 
ized at Millington, Tenn. At once this church called J. L. 
Sproles for her pastor and petitioned the sister church at Rip- 
ley, Tenn., to ordain him. He was duly examined by the 
church and set apart to the full work of the ministry October 
Tth, 1888. The church was assisted by Rev. E. C. Faulkner, 
pastor, and Rev. I. P. Watterson, of Mississippi, pastor of the 
Brownsville, Tenn., Baptist church. On account of the vigor- 
ous quarantine against yellow fever, Rev. H. F. Sproles, D. D., 
brother to the candidate, was not able to be present. After 
finishing his college training, he located two years as pastor 
of the Covington, Tenn., Baptist church. His work was 
greatly bless.ed here. He then accepted the pastorate of the 
Southgate Street church, Louisville, Ky. During a successful 
pastorate here of two years, he did full work in the Theolog- 
ical Seminary. Having contracted throat trouble in that cli- 
mate, he accepted the care of the Baptist church in Shelby, N. 
C. During a pastorate here of two years, the church was 
greatly revived and strengthened. All debts were paid off 
and one hundred and seventy-five added to the church, more 
than half of them by baptism. Feeling that the most of the 
material was worked up in that famous old church, he re- 
signed there April 1, 1894, and on the following Sabbath en- 
tered upon his present pastorate at West Point, Miss. He 
succeeded at Shelby, N. C, W. A. Nelson, W. W. Bussey, W. 
H. Strickland, J. M. McManary, and was succeeded by Dr. J. 
F. Hofham, N. C, the famous convention floor-walker, and 
honored as few of her ministers. He has come to his native 
State to wear himself out in the Master's cause, and only 
regrets that he did not go out of the church of his conver- 
sion and receive his education in Mississippi College, located 
at Clinton, Miss. The Lord is greatly blessing his work at 
West Point. He is a Baptist, warp and filling, preaches the 



636 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

old gospel of "salvation by grace,-' and believes in healthy 
church discipline. Intensely missionary in spirit, he has led 
his church to more than double their subscriptions to mis- 
sions. 

Joel R. Stewart was bom in Covington county, near Wil- 
liamsburg, Miss., October 28, 1862. His parents were Bap- 
tists, but when he was quite young his father, James R. Stew- 
art, died, leaving eight children. Soon after the father's 
death, the mother, nee Martha A. Worthy, moved to Wesson, 
Copiah county, Miss., where the son was for some years em- 
ployed as an operative in the Mississippi mills. It was at this 
place that, in 18TG, he joined the Methodist church under the 
preaching of Rev. J. F. Heard, from which time he dates his 
conversion. In a year or two after this he learned the photo- 
graph business and traveled over a good portion of Mississippi 
and Louisiana, getting back to the place of his birth in 1881. 
Owing to the straitened circumstances 1 >f the family at and after 
the fathers death, he received no education other than could 
be obtained at the public schools. In December, 1882, lie 
was married to Miss Jannie W. Stewart, which happy union 
still survives. In 1889 he was licensed to exhort in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. Rev. J. S. West, presiding elder, and 
Rev. R. B. Downer, pastor. Shortly after this lie removed to 
Copiah county, where he remained one year, and then returned 
to Covington. Probably the call to the ministry was causing 
considerable unrest of the mind, so that he could not settle 
down. Shortly after his return from Copiah county he be- 
gan to be dissatisfied with his baptism and other things that 
he had forced himself to believe. So in December, 1890, he 
joined the Baptist church at Williamsburg, under the preach- 
ing of Rev. J. L. Finley. A month later he was licensed to 
preach, and in a few weeks was ordained to the full work of 
the ministry. Revs. J. L. Finley and J. R. Johnson constitut- 
ing the presbytery. Very soon after his orclination he was 
called to the pastorate of Xew Hope church, in Simpson 
county. He found there that the church had almost gone 
down, but during the first year of his pastorate the spiritual 
condition of the members was considerably revived and five 
were added to the membership. Believing that the Holy Spirit 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 637 

will direct his steps and point out the work God has for him to 
do, he has never sought popularity nor courted a call. From 
1891 to 1894 he has been editor and publisher of the "Coving- 
ton County Journal," but finding that to edit a secular news- 
paper would interfere with his ministerial duties, in March, 
1S91, he resigned. At this time (May, 1894) he has no pas- 
toral work, but is superintendent of the Williamsburg Sunday- 
school and otherwise active in the Lord's work. 

Robert J. Stewart was 

born December 18, 1847. His 
father, Robert Stewart, was a 
native of Scotland, and of the 
pure old Scotch blood. His 
mother was a native of Amite 
county, Miss., and of Dutch- 
Irish stock. Of twelve chil- 
dren reared by them he is the 
eleventh. His father died when 
he was about eight years of 
age. This sad event, followed 
by the unfortunate war, cir- 
cumscribed his opportunities, 
and thus deprived him of early 
educational advantages. A few 
months each year for five or 
six years was the schooling he 
obtained. At the age of fourteen he found himself compar- 
atively in charge of a farm endeavoring to manage six negroes, 
and three white boys, the latter all being younger than himself, 
one his brother and two his nephews. In this he was aided 
with the advice of his neighbors, which he much appreciated. 
In addition to these responsibilities he had two widowed sisters 
and two others whose husbands were in the army (and both 
were subsequently killed), together with seven of their chil- 
dren, all looking to him for a support, and aiding to the extent 
of their ability. In all this he succeeded. In the meanwhile, 
these children that were old enough were kept in school. In 
October, 1864, he enlisted in the Southern army, joining a 
cavalry company in the realized hope of getting' home occa- 
sionally, and so kept affairs in shape, until the surrender, in 




REV. R. J. STEWART. 



638 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

1865. Then came to them ruined fortunes and blighted hopes, 
the common lot of all. His two elder brothers, who had 
fought with Beauregard, Johnston and Hood, suffering as 
good soldiers for four years, now came home and relieved him 
of many grave responsibilities. All through the war he 
hoped for better days, but, alas, his hopes of an education now 
took the wings of the morning, for he had not learned that it 
was possible for any boy to educate himself. Contented with 
his lot, and desiring to help his mother rear the several grand- 
children now with her, he began work with his brothers on 
the farm. New duties were now upon him. When but 
twelve years of age he felt the condemning power of sin, real- 
ized his lost condition, sought the Savior in the forgiveness of 
sin and saving grace, felt God's saving power in his soul, and 
learned to love and trust him. His mother kindly suggested 
that he delay uniting with a church until he was older. With 
the same feelings, faith and satisfaction of his acceptance with 
God, he delayed until November, 1804, when he applied to the 
Mount Vernon church in Amite county, and was received for 
baptism, which was providentially (by reason of the presence 
of the enemy in the neighborhood) delayed until January * 
1865. Hence the new duties, not as a Christian, but as a 
church member. He attended church conference regularly, 
choosing rather to be absent on Sunday, if at all. He felt lie 
owed this to himself, his pastor, his church and his Master. 
In 186S he left the special care of his mother to his younger 
brothers and began working for himself, and on December 8, 
1868, he married Miss Sophia L. Davis, a native of Georgia, 
but reared in Mississippi. In 1871 he moved to St. Helena 
parish, La., and on February 14, 1872, he went into the organ- 
ization of the Rocky Creek church. It being in a destitute 
country, he was afforded opportunities to exercise in the Sun- 
day-schools and prayer meetings. In 1874, after plowing an 
ox all the week, or other work, he would walk six miles on 
Sunday and superintend a Sunday-school in Rocky Creek 
church in the morning, and then walk three miles to a Metho- 
dist church and superintend a union Sunday-school there in 
the afternoon, and four miLes home. James A. Godfrey, a 
presiding elder in the M. E. church, upon hearing of his en- 
ergy and consecration, said in the pulpit, "I want to and must 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 639 

see the man that will thus work for Christ, and take him by 
the hand and bid him God-speed in his work," which he sub- 
sequently did. 

On Sunday, March 1, 1874, he was ordained a deacon of 
the Rocky Creek church, Revs. John East, G. Mullins and T. 
J. Causey, presbytery. In 1871 he received what he has ever 
believed to be a divine call to the ministry, but having been 
deprived of educational advantages, and the ministerial educa- 
tion wave sweeping our country at that time, with a family to 
support, he suffered the Evil Spirit to lead him into rebellion. 
For six years he thus lived, suffering chastisement both of 
body and mind, until 1877, when he fully surrendered and 
said: "Here Lord, take me as I am." The church granted 
him license to preach on August 5, 1877. On Saturday night, 
September 1, 1877, he preach'ed his first sermon. On March 
3, 1878, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, Revs. 
G. M. Hayden and Thomas Lansdale being the presbytery. 
He was immediately called to the pastorate of this church at 
a proposed salary of seventy-five dollars. He was at this time 
opposed to salaries for preachers, and suggested to the breth- 
ren not to make a definite promise but pay what they could, 
to which they agreed. Having no horse, he was still plowing 
his ox. Consequently, when he could not borrow a horse he 
walked the six miles and preached one Saturday and Sunday 
of each month, and received for* that year's service at that 
church ninety cents ! He kindly told them that if this was all 
they could pay, he was satisfied and they owed him nothing; 
but that ended his preaching without a contract for dollars 
and cents. He relates two incidents which occurred during 
his early ministry: (1) Occasionally he mentioned his mis- 
fortune in being uneducated. One day an educated brother 
advised him to "do so no more, for" said he, "one-half of the 
people will never find it out unless you tell them; the other 
half will find it out soon enough." (2) A member of a 
church to which he preached did not have the money to pay 
him and proposed to let him have syrup. He agreed. When 
he brought the syrup he was asked the price per gallon, and 
said, "forty cents cash, or fifty cents in trade. I will let you 
have it at fifty cents." Mr. Stewart had to give him his preach- 
ing- as trade. He was undaunted and could not be discour- 



640 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

aged. He determined if energy and perseverance were worth 
anything he would win. In 1870, at great sacrifice, he went 
to school three months to Rev. G. M. Hayden, which was of 
incalculable benefit to him. In 1878 he was elected clerk of 
the Mississippi River Association and served six years. In 
1889 he served the Association as moderator. In January, 
1S88, he moved from Greensburg, La., to Liberty, Miss., where 
he now (1891) resides. 

In October, 1889, he was elected moderator of the old 
Mississippi (mother) Association, and has ever since had the 
honor of presiding over this body. Since 1879 he has been 
pastor of the best churches in this Association, having" success 
second to none. He has held many successful meetings with 
his fellow-pastors and their churches. He has had seventeen 
pastorates or churches, serving as- many as five at a time every 
month. His actual and necessary travel to and from his ap- 
pointments has averaged one hundred and fifty miles per 
month. He has never lived over seventeen miles from the 
place of his birth, nor served a church over thirty-five miles 
from the same. He is now living within eleven miles of the 
home of his childhood. He has preached to a church eighteen 
miles from him as long as seven and one-half years, and dis- 
appointed the congregation only twice, once on account of 
high water and once was called away to bury a friend. He 
has served another seven years eleven miles away without a 
single disappointment During his sixteen years' ministry 
he has never been behind time at his regular appointments 
more than five or six times, and never more than ten minutes. 
He has baptized about eight hundred people. He has never 
been at variance with his fellow-man but twice. He keeps 
all men his friends by showing himself friendly. He has 
eight living children, having lost two. He had three grown 
daughters, one of them married, all graduates of reputable in- 
stitutions. He is determined, if possible, to educate his chil- 
dren, even at the greatest sacrifice, this being the greatest leg- 
acy he can leave them. Being a poor man, with a large fam- 
ily, and not getting a full support while preaching, he has been 
forced even- year to supplement his salary by working on the 
farm. He has ever considered himself a servant for Christ, 
and has been willing to endure hardships as a good soldier, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 641 

and has never regarded heat or cold, time or distance, and has 
yet to refuse the first time to heed a call for services in his min- 
isterial capacity. He has learned to trust. He loves to labor. 
"For God is not slack concerning his promises." 

R. F. Stokes began preaching in North Mississippi, and 
was ordained to the full work of the ministry by Toccopola 
church in 1877. The presbytery consisted of Revs. W. W. 
Finley, W. H. Murfrey, T. M. Hobson, J. C. Combs and J. J. 
Ellis. He attended Mississippi College for a short time. 

Isaac L. Stone, son of Miles Stone, was born May 15, 
1854, in Lauderdale county, Mississippi. He was baptized 
into_the fellowship of Mount Horeb Baptist church when a 
boy fourteen years of age. He was ordained to the gospel 
ministry September 30, 1886. He was then a member of the 
Long Creek church which was the offspring of his labors. On 
November 12, 1886, he sold his home and all his worldly pos- 
sessions and pitched his tent near Howard College, where he 
entered the hardest work of his life, as he was not a good 
reader and fully rea-lized it. After one session he returned to 
his old county of Lauderdale, and entered fully upon the du- 
ties of the ministry. He was first called to the pastorate of 
the Covington Baptist church, which he accepted and in which 
he served two years. Resigning the care of this church he 
served the Arkadelphia church for nearly four years. He 
was pastor of the church at Lauderdale for two years ; of the 
church at Twistwood one year; of the Palestine church which 
he organized, for a time; and of the church at Friendship 
one year, giving each over two sermons in the month. For 
eight years he has been serving churches as pastor, and in 
that time he has so worked that he has not had to exclude any 
one, nor has he had any wrangle in any of his churches, which 
he thinks is the result of maintaining a strict discipline. He 
has failed to keep a record of the number he has baptized. 
He has been satisfied, without counting, if he could see new 
converts coming into the Lord's fold. He feels proud to 
think he has never had one of his churches to drop him and 
call another preacher. He has always been obliged to offer 
his resignation to get a church to make a change. He has had 



642 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

great success in his work with old dead churches, in getting 
them revived, and started to work again. 

Recently he has been called to the pastorate of the South- 
side church in Meridian, where he has just moved and com- 
menced his work, giving his entire time to this church. He 
excels in the line of personal work and in never forgetting 
that all strength comes from God through prayer. He has 
been a hard student, though unable to get the books he so 
greatly needed, and so was forced to use his Bible more. 
Through the kindness of the American Baptist Publication 
Society he received a small library as a gift, which has won 
many victories for the Lord, he believes, and so he feels under 
obligations to this Society. 



Lewis Maxwell Stone, 

D. D., the subject of this 
sketch, is a descendant of 
Thomas Stone, of Mary 
land, one of the signers 
of American independ- 
ence, being a great-grand- 
son. Colonel James A I. 
Sfc >ne, the father of 
Lewis, was born in Geor- 
gia, November !J. 1803. 
When but fifteen years 
old, with his father's fam- 
ily, he moved to Alabama, 
settling near where the 
city of Montgomery is 
now located. In 1827 he 
married Miss Sarah M. 
Bradley, of South Caro- 
lina. The young couple 
moved to Florida, where 
REV. L. M. STONE, D. D. they lived four or five 

years. They next located at Mobile, Alabama, where Col. 
Stone was engaged in mercantile business with his brother, 
Judge W. D. Stone. In 1843 he moved to Xoxubee county, 
Mississippi, opening up a large farm in the Fox Trap prairies, 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 643 

ten miles east of Macon. Here on July 6, 1844, Lewis, the 
eighth son of his parents, was born, being so very diminutive 
and delicate, it was thought he could not be raised. God de- 
creed otherwise. In his early childhood his parents moved 
into Pickens county, Ala., where young Lewis grew up into 
manhood. In October, 1860, he professed religion under the 
preaching of Rev. George L. Lyles, and was in a few days 
baptized into the Spring Hill Baptist church, with sixteen 
others, by Mr. Lyles. Although the Stone family were Meth- 
odist in their church preference and connection, young Lewis 
thus cast his lot with the Baptists, two sisters going with him. 
His school advantages had been very meagre up to this time. 
However, he was now attending the Spring Hill Academy, 
presided over by Prof. A. C. Baker, of N. Y., which was a 
most excellent high school. Here Lewis 1 ranked among the 
very best for good conduct, studious habits and aptitude for 
learning. In the spring of 1861 the school suspended on ac- 
count of the civil war. From this time till fall, Lewis worked 
on the farm of his father with the negroes (Col. Stone raised 
all of his eight sons to work on the farm) ; during the summer 
a volunteer company for the Confederacy being raised in this 
section of the country, he joined it, and in a few weeks was reg- 
ularly enlisted in, the Twenty-fourth Alabama Regiment at 
Mobile. About twelve months after this he was discharged 
from service on account of feeble health from measles and 
exposure near Corinth. Returning to the same command 
some eighteen months' later, he was again discharged. Pre- 
ferring to be in the service in some way, he was, on application 
assig'ned to duty in September, 1864, at Columbus, Miss., un- 
der Col. Buck Anderson, in the quartermaster's department. 
Here he remained up to the surrender. He went immediately 
to his father's place in Pickens county, Ala. The negroes be- 
ing freed, some of his father's leaving the plow, he helped on 
the farm until the crop was made. 

In the fall, his old preceptor, A. C. Baker, encouraging 
him in the farther prosecution of his education, took him in 
his school with him, giving him some classes to hear. In 
1861 Prof. Baker located at Artesia, Miss., and opened a 
high school. He took young Stone, gave him his board and 
private instructions at night for the teaching he needed him 



644 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

to do in the school. The next year, Mr. Stone taught the full 
time each day and received forty dollars per month, his 
board and help at night with his own studies. Here was laid 
the foundation of Mr. Stone's education that later made him 
the efficient educator that he is. The next year Prof. Baker 
gave up his plan and moved to Kansas. The trustees elected 
Mr. Stone his successor, where he taught and managed 
greatly to his praise and financial betterment until he decided 
to enter Howard College, Marion, Ala. In the fall of 1869 he 
was enrolled as a student, under the presidency of Dr. Sam'l R. 
Freeman, entering the junior class. With the experience of 
his years he was qualified to make capital use of the splendid 
advantages this famous old college gave. He did all that his 
physical strength would admit of during his two years here. 
In 1868, the Spring Hill Baptist church, near his father's home, 
by the following ministers as presbytery, ordained Mr. Stone 
to the work of the gospel: George Lyles, pastor; J. H. Ca- 
son, J. W. Taylor, A. M. Hanks, J. P. Lee. He had evidenced 
an impression to preach for some two or three years, and un- 
der a license had exercised his gift for one year. While at 
college he preached regularly to two points occupied before 
by Dr. Freeman. In 1871 he was called to take charge of the 
Gainesville Baptist church, Alabama. He did good service 
here, adding quite a number to the church during his two 
years' pastorate. On January 11, 1872, he married Miss Man- 
High, a grand-niece of Dr. Jeter. In the spring of 1873 he- 
was called to take charge of the Baptist Female College at 
Meridian, as its founder and president's health, Eld. J. B. 
Hamberlin, had failed. Here, twenty-one years ago, his ca- 
reer as a female educator began. His success in teaching and 
managing the college for three years was so acceptable that 
the trustees, through Capt. W. H. Hardy, president, and L. A. 
Duncan, secretary, tendered him the college for another pe- 
riod of five years. He declined to accept from Dr. T. G. Sel- 
lers the presidency of his Female Institute at Starkville. For 
two years in this position he gave the highest satisfaction, and 
turned the Institute back to Dr. Sellers, whose health was now 
improved, with new life and on a firmer basis. Prof. Stone 
went back to Gainesville. Ala., reopened the college there fit 
had been closed for several years), and for three vears had a 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 645 

fine school, with twenty to thirty boarders. In 1880, he came 
back into his adopted State, Mississippi, and founded the 
Shuqualak Female College, at Shuqualak, fifty-three miles 
north of Meridian, on the Mobile and Ohio railway. This col- 
lege grew from a small beginning of about thirty-six students 
that of over a hundred each year for several years. This institu- 
tion became for its excellency in every way recognized as equal 
to the best of our colleges for girls. For thirteen years it grew, 
strengthened and prospered in Prof. Stone's hands. The 
church here under his pastorate of seven years was developed 
into one of the best in East Mississippi. The town was greatly 
enhanced in every way. 

In the spring of 1893, certain citizens of Meridian, backed 
and indorsed by the Baptist churches of the city, offered Prof. 
Stone a handsome donation of land and money for buildings, 
the site on the city dummy line, three miles north of the depot, 
if he would locate here a college for young ladies. After much 
reflection and prayer he accepted the tender. The commence- 
ment in May, 1893, ended his work at Shuqualak. The following 
September he opened according to appointment, Stone Col- 
lege, with a fair attendance of boarders, reaching forty doing 
the year, and a goodly number of day pupils. This session 
satisfied the citizens of Meridian that they had one of the 
best school men in the State in this young enterprise. The 
second session has opened with a larger attendance of boarders 
and day pupils, with every promise of a bright future for the 
college. 

In all these changes Prof. Stone has shown himself to 
be equal to the emergency. He puts his trust in God and 
pushes his work with energy and great prudence. His success 
in the educational work of our State is equal to that of any 
other man among us. 

Dr. Stone was the first of his profession, while at 
Shuqualak, to undertake the enterprise of building a Student's 
Home in connection with his college, where young ladies can 
board themselves at actual cost, as is done by the boys in the 
male colleges. This noble effort richly merited success. Dr. 
Stone is an earnest preacher and has been a man of great use- 
fulness in his pastorates. He is a Christian gentleman of re- 
fined taste and decided piety. He is highly esteemed where he 



646 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

has lived, and is honored by his patrons as a faithful and ex- 
cellent guardian of their daughters placed under his care. 

A. J. Stovall, a useful minister who labored in the 
northern portion of our State long and successfully, was born 
in Giles county, Tennessee, December 25, 1809. He moved 
to Alabama, where he began to preach in 1841; and was or- 
dained in that State in 1812. and served the Town Creek, Moul- 
ton, Macedonia and Courtland churches, in Lawrence county, 
Alabama. He removed to Mississippi in December, 1852, and 
located near Tupelo where he spent the remainder of his life 
preaching to churches in the surrounding country. He aided 
in the organization of the Judson Association and was its mod- 
erator for a number of years. He died July 4, 1872, much re- 
spected by those among whom he had lived. 

Following is a published tribute by Rev. St. Clair Law- 
rence: Rev. A. L. Stovall is a name ever dear to the mem- 
ories of the Baptists of North Mississippi. Without 
any attempt at panegyric, it is but meet to sa> that 
rarely since the days of the apostles has one man 
been able to evince so many Christian graces as were 
manifested in Brother Stovall, from the days of his early min- 
istry to the hour of his death. At all times, in all places, all 
circumstances, he was the same, humble, zealous, affectionate, 
self-denying, faithful and efficient pastor and evangelist, seem- 
ingly breathing forevermore the very spirit of our holy religion. 
The nineteenth session of the Judson convened with Centre 
Hill church, September 14th, 1871. The brethren manifested 
their Christian confidence in Brother Stovall, as had been their 
wont for thirteen years past, by electing him moderator, but 
for the last time. On the 4th of July following the Great 
Master had ordained that he should lay down his armor and 
receive his crown. His body was entombed, and yet he lives. 

There is no death ! an august form 
Walks o'er the earth with silent tread, 

To bear our best loved friends away, 
And then we call them, dead. 

W. L. A. Stranburg was born in Memphis, Tenn., March 
25, 1858, and was raised in and near Jackson, Miss. His father, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 647 

P. P. Stranburg, was born and educated in Stockholm, Sweden. 
His mother was born and reared near Jackson, Miss., and was 
educated at Clinton, Miss. Her maiden name was C. C. Den- 
ham. William was raised a Roman Catholic, and received 
a part of his education behind a bar selling whisky. He was 
married to Adaline Bellezora, in Jackson, March 21, 1878, 
who was born and reared in Rankin county, Miss. On ac- 
count of yellow fever they left Jackson August 21, 1878, and 
moved twelve miles south to Steen's Creek. Here he went to 
hear Rev. Jesse Woodale preach, who was at that time pastor 
of Steen's Creek Baptist church. 

The text was John 5 :37, and the sermon unsettled him in his 
faith. The following week he purchased from S. M. Ellis a 
ten-cent testament and one gallon of whisky and went home 
to search the Scriptures to see whether these things were so. 
S. M. Ellis was at that time a planter and a merchant at Steen's 
Creek, but was afterwards converted and became an excellent 
Baptist preacher, and now lives in Clinton. He remained 
there two years, during which time he attended Baptist preach- 
ing. Rev. M. T. Martin came out and held a series of meet- 
ings which he attended. During the meeting Mr. Martin 
found out that he was a Roman Catholic, and at once the con- 
flict began. The preacher said to him one day, "Young man, 
will you go with me to yonder grove and let me pray for you?" 
He replied: "Sir, it will do me no good for a heretic and child 
of the Devil to prayior me." Finally, however, he consented 
and went. The preacher knelt down, placed his hand upon his 
head and prayed for him. It was a blessed day, for the stub- 
born heart melted, the veil was taken away and he saw himself 
a sinner before God. He sought the Lord, was converted 
next day and was baptized into the fellowship of Steen's Creek 
Baptist church. He was soon impressed with the work of the 
gospel ministry and the church gave him the privilege of ex- 
ercising his gifts. After this he moved to Brookhaven, Miss. 
There he was licensed by Union Hall Baptist church to preach 
the gospel. He was called to ordination by Macedonia Bap- 
tist church of which he was then a member and was ordained 
by that church, the presbytery being composed of Revs. Z. T. 
Loftin and T. J. Hutson. His ordination occurred September 
24, 1885. He went to school two years in Centralia, 111., one 



M MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

year at Union Hall Academy, taught by Prof. W. H. Dillon, 
and then three years at .Mississippi College. During two years 
of his college course he did the repair work on the college 
buildings on evenings and mornings, sometimes working three 
hours at night, besides carrying on his lessons. He also 
papered rooms, varnished furniture, and such like, to help meet 
the expenses of his family while in school. His wife, who is 
one of the best women on earth, took in sewing and did patch- 
work for the boys, and, in this way and other ways, helped 
her husband to prepare himself for the blessed work of the 
Master. He organized a church at Morgan's Fork, Franklin 
county, near Roxie, Miss., and raised the money with which 
to purchase material for a house of worship. Being unable to 
raise money to pay for the labor of building he took his tools 
and by the labor of his own hands built the house. In 1892 
he was called to the care of four churches in the Mississippi 
Delta, and later moved from Clinton to Greenville, Miss. The 
Lord has been and still is blessing his labors abundantly, for 
which he says, "blessed be his holy name." Of his location- 
he is now east of Greenville— he says: "This may be an un 
healthy, malarial district, but there are good people over here 
and they must have the gospel. We lost one child, rather 
Heaven gained one, during our first year in the Delta. It may 
be we can finish our task over here sooner and then go to dwell 
with that blessed Savior who has so graciously redeemed me 
from sin, from Romanism and the whisky business. lUess the 
Lord, oh my soul, for what he has done for me!" 

J. R. Sumner is a son of James and Sobitha (Swinford) 
Sumner, who were born and reared in South Carolina, were 
married in Cherokee county, Ga., 184.3, and moved to Walker 
county, Ala., where the father still lives, the mother having 
died in August, 1S66. The father has been a member of a 
missionary Baptist church since 1858. The mother never be- 
longed to any church, but claimed a hope of salvation through 
faith in Jesus. J. R. Sumner, the fifth child and third son, was 
born in Cherokee county, Ga., May 28, 1853. He had gone to 
three schools about two months each when such things were 
suspended by the civil war, at the close of which about all thus 
gained had been forgotten. He was sent to school about two 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 649 

months each summer from 1865 to 1870. The* remainder of 
his time was spent in work with his father on the farm. In the 
spring of 1865 was convinced that he was a sinner in need of 
a Savior, by a conversation of an old negro man, who provi- 
dentially got into a talk with his father about sin, the Savior, 
the judgment and the importance of a preparation for the great 
day. In September, 1868, he accepted Jesus as his Savior and 
trusted him as such, and felt his sins forgiven. This took place 
while alone on his way home from the last of a series of ser- 
vices held by Liberty Grove missionary Baptist church and 
pastor, A. M. King, the church to which his father then be- 
longed. In October he was received into the fellowship of 
this church and was baptized the following (Sunday) by the 
pastor. This church, in Walker county, Ala., belongs to 
North River Association. In January, 1871, he came to Yalo- 
busha county, Miss., to live with his father's oldest brother. 
This uncle's house was his home most of the time until the 
uncle's death. In 1870 he was first impressed with the duty 
of preparing to preach the gospel of Jesus. He determined to 
read the Bible through while considering whether these im- 
pressions were from God. The more he read, thought and 
prayed for divine guidance, the more thoroughly was he con- 
vinced that God had called him to this great work; 
and the more he was satisfied that he was incom- 
petent for such a work. Yet he was willing to do 
the will of God if he could but know it. When 
he came to Mississippi he joined Macedonia church, Yalobusha 
Association, in Yalobusha county, eight miles from Water Val- 
ley. He was licensed to preach by this church, May 10, 1872, 
and made his first attempt at preaching soon after at thus 
church. In January 1873, he moved to Tallahatchie county, 
and joined Enon church. He remained here a little more than 
a year, then returned and reunited with Macedonia church. 
He was ordained by this church December 5, 1874, the pres- 
bytery being Revs. Whitfield Dupuy and P. Lanford. He 
preached for Macedonia and Hopewell churches from October, 
1874, till September, 1875. Through the agency of Revs. T. 
L. Talbert, I. A. Hailey, and M. T. Martin, and the help of the 
Yalobusha Association, he entered the preparatory department 
of Mississippi College at the beginning of the session of 1875 



650 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

and 1876. He continued in school during the session. From 
that time till the spring of 1880, he spent from five to eight 
months in school at Clinton each session, spending the vaca- 
tions, except two, assisting in protracted meetings. During 
the summer and fall of 1888 he taught school. The summer 
of 1889 he spent as missionary under the appointment of the 
State Mission Board in Le Flore and Tallahatchie counties. 
On account of failure in health and a lack of money lie was 
compelled to leave school in March, 1880. He came to Tor- 
rance Station, and became pastor of Ararat, Ashland, Clear 
Springs and Midway churches. These churches were without 
pastors and some of them had been for nearly three years. In 
1881 he preached for Clear Springs and Midway and taught 
school, dividing his time equally between these two churches. 
During this year he abandoned the hopes he had entertained 
of spending one or two sessions in the Southern Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary, selected a lady whom he thought would 
make a preacher a good wife, and on September 30, 1881, was 
married to Miss Nannie A. Williams, who proves herself to 
be what he had hoped she would be. In November, 1881, 
they moved to Calhoun county, where he taught school four 
months, cultivated a crop, and preached to two churches. In 
the fall of 1882 he received calls to Bethel and Amity churches 
in Chickasaw county, and Friendship in Calhoun county. In 
January, 1883, he removed and located five miles south of 
Houston, Chickasaw county, and he and his wife became mem- 
bers of Bethel church. He preached to each of these churches 
one Saturday and Sunday of each month, besides cultivating a 
small crop. In 1884 he preached to Bethel, New Salem, and 
Shiloh churches one Saturday and Sunday each per month. 
He cultivated also a small crop. November 24, 1884, a second 
son was born to them. In 1885 he preached to the same 
churches and Mt. Zion, Clay county; and in 1886 to the same 
churches except .Mt. Zion. In 1887 he preached to Mt. Zion, 
Shiloh, New Salem and Providence; in 1888 to the same, ex- 
cept Shiloh. In December, 1888, he gave up all these 
churches and moved to the northwestern portion of Pontotoc 
county, joining New Prospect church, and preaching to Phila- 
delphia, La Fayette county; and Fredonia, Union county, on 
the same monthly plan; and gave half time to missionary and 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 65 1 

colportage work for the Chickasaw Association, from October 
till December 31, 1889. In 1890 he gave his entire time to 
missionary and colportage work for the Association, until 
March 1, when he accepted calls to Oak Hill church, Pontotoc 
county, and Tupelo, Lee county, for one Sunday each. March 
18, they moved to Wallerville and became members of the 
church there he accepting the care of the church. In 1891 he 
served Wallerville, Plantersville and Oak Hill churches. In 
1892 he preached to Wallerville, Liberty, Hickory Flat, and 
Plantersville till August and Serman from August till Decem- 
ber. In 1893 he preached to the same churches, except Hick- 
ory Flat. During these years he has cultivated, or had culti- 
vated, a small corn crop to supplement his salary. Some one 
had to do this work at his own charges in part, or let these 
churches go without preaching. He preferred cultivating a 
small crop to teaching school because it takes less time from 
the work of the ministry. His churches often send him to 
the State Convention. Last year the Chickasaw Association 
sent him as a delegate to the Southern Baptist Convention. 
He is highly esteemed in love for his work's sake. 

Thomas Lipscomb Talbert was born in old Yalobusha 
county, eight miles north of Grenada, August 6, 1848. He 
was educated for a merchant and while attending a commercial 
precious to his soul, and was baptized by. Dr. S. H. Ford, 
college in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1866 he found the Redeemer 
Some two years later, while acting in the capacity of clerk he 
felt his call to the ministry. After several battles with self, 
being fully persuaded that it was the will of God, he entered 
upon the solemn work, much to the displeasure of his father. 
He entered Mississippi College and took a full A. B. course 
in that institution. Finishing there he entered the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary, at Greenville, S. C, in the fall 
of 1874, and spent one session there, graduating in May, 1875, 
in Old Testament interpretation in English. He was ordained 
at Mount Paran church, near Hardy Station, the fourth Sun- 
day in July, 1874. He was pastor of Mount Pisgah church, 
Miss., in 1875; of Liberty church from October, 1875, till Octo- 
ber, 1884; of Mount Paran from January, 1876, till December, 
1881; of Providence from January, 1876, till December, 1884; 



652 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



of Pleasant Grove from January, 1881, till December, 1884; 
of the church in Pensacola, Fla., from January 1 till May 31, 
1 885. All of these pastorates, except the last, were in or near 
Grenada and Yalobusha counties, Miss., and these churches 
whom he served so long and so faithfully still love his memory. 
The denominational enterprises of the State were ever dear to 
his heart, the college, perhaps, standing pre-eminent, but for- 
eign missions had no warmer friend and advocate than he. 

His heart, however, began to cause apprehension, and feel- 
ing that the cold winters of this climate were too severe for 
him he sought the balmy atmosphere of Florida. Accepting 
a call to the First Baptist church, Pensacola, Fla., he entered 
upon a fine work there. But the change did not prove bene- 
ficial, and continuous illness forced him to resign, and at the 
end of five months he came back to Mississippi to die among 
those he loved so well. His death took place January 3, J 886, 
in the thirty-eighth year of his age. He left with loved ones 
the brightest assurance that Jesus was with him in that hour. 

Eugene A. Taylor, D. D., 

the subject of this sketch, 
was born forty vears ago at 
Red Bluff, La. ' His father, 
( rem. A. B. Taylor, besides 
serving with distinction in 
the Mexican war, was a phy- 
sician of large practice and a 
consistant Baptist deacon. 
His mother was the daugh- 
ter of Col. Robert Fluker, 
an extensive Louisiana sugar 
planter. She was, during her 
son's infancy, left a widow, 
but by good management 
she was enabled to give her 
two sons the best possible 
early advantages. At the be- 
ginning of the war she mar- 
ried Dr. T. M. Redd, of 
Osyka, Miss., but was soon left a widow again. In 1806 she 




REV. E. A. TAYLOR, D. D. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 653 

married Mr. George W. Miller of Natchez, Miss. Alter a 
year's residence in Osyka, subsequent to this union, the family 
located in Natchez, Miss. Here, under the ministry of Rev. 
C. M. Gordon, Mr. Taylor was converted and directed to the 
ministry^ Assisted by his brother he took a full coarse at 
Mississippi College, a two years' course at the Southern Bap- 
tist Theological Seminary, finishing his education with an 
extensive tour through Europe and Palestine. 

Dr. Taylor was called to ordination by the Grenada Bap- 
tist church, which church, in connection with Duck Hill, he 
served for four years and a half, occasionally preaching at 
Gray's Point and for neighboring churches in protracted 
meetings. At Grenada the membership was increased more 
than two-fold, at Duck Hill more than two-fold, and at the 
latter place and Gray's point two beautiful houses of worship 
were built and paid for, and about two hundred and fifty 
added to the churches under his preaching, sixty-five to the 
Central Baptist church, Memphis, where he assisted Pastor 
T. J. Rowan. 

In 1882 Mr. Taylor married Maggie, youngest daughter 
of Deacon E. L. Jordan, of Murfreesboro, Term. This union 
has been blessed with six children, three boys and three girls, 
four of whom are living. 

In 1883, while a young man under thirty, Mr. Taylor 
was called to the First Baptist church, Knoxville, Tenn., prob- 
ably the largest Baptist church in the State, and to succeed 
Dr. C. H. Strickland, one of the most eloquent preachers in 
the Couth. His four and a half years' pastorate in Knoxville 
was a phenomenal success. Three hundred and seventy-five 
were added to the church; a handsome house of worship, 
costing thirty-five thousand dollars was built, and the Cal- 
vary (now Second) Baptist church was organized with a 
membership of one hundred and seventy-five, and a lot, which 
was afterward sold for twelve thousand dollars was deeded 
to the church. One extraordinary feature of the dedicatory 
service of the First Baptist church was, having no debt to 
pay off, the pastor called upon the members to subscribe a 
sufficient sum to buy a lot and begin a building for a mission 
church. The large sum of four thousand five hundred dollars 
was cheerfully and quickly subscribed. This is the begin- 
ning of Centennial church which now has four hundred in 



654 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

its Sunday-school. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon 
Mr. Taylor in Knoxville when he was thirty-one years of age, 
by Carson College, Tennessee. In 1888 Dr. Taylor took 
charge of the First Baptist church, Marquette, Mich. Dur- 
ing the pastorate of Dr. Kerr B. Tupper a handsome stone 
church building had been erected, but there remained a debt 
on it of six thousand dollars. During Dr. Taylor's pastorate 
of two years this debt was paid and seventy added to the mem- 
bership. 

The climate, where the thermometer often rioted around 
thirty-five degrees below zero, was found too severe for his 
family, so he accepted a call to the Park Baptist church, Utica, 
N. Y., to succeed the lamented D. G. Corey, D. D., who for 
forty-eight years had been pastor of the church, having him- 
self succeeded Dr. Edward Bright, of the "Examiner." The 
Park church needed a very prudent man and one who could 
help them in their financial straights. In building a hand- 
some church three years before, there remained on the build 
ing a debt of twenty-four thousand dollars. Soon after the 
church was dedicated, with this tremendous debt, a split 
occurred in the membership and one hundred withdrew and 
built another church. This so discouraged the remaining 
members, who had no people of means among them, that they 
were considering the propriety of selling their church property 
to liquidate the debt. With this state of affairs only partially 
known to Dr. Taylor he took charge of the church to steer 
it through these breakers. He laid his plans well to reduce 
the debt, proposing first that five thousand dollars be raised. 
As none thought it could be done he made a personal canvass 
among the members and secured four thousand nine hundred 
dollars, and on the day set for a special sen-ice by a general 
appeal the amount was raised to seven thousand three hun- 
dred dollars. Xext year this was repeated and six thousand 
four hundred dollars was subscribed. The third year an 
effort was made to pay an old floating debt of one thousand 
seven hundred dollars, and two thousand seven hundred 
dollars was raised. During his three and a half years' pas- 
torate two hundred and ten were added to the church by bap- 
tism and fifty-two by letter. 

In October. 1893, upon the resignation of Dr. R. J. Will- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 655 

ingham, the First Baptist church, Memphis, Term., called Dr. 
E. A. Taylor, although they had never heard him preach nor 
seen him. But desiring first that there should be a mutual 
acquaintance, he visited the church before accepting the call. 
During his year's pastorate, an old debt of one thousand 
dollars on the church has been paid, and seventy-five added 
to the membership. A mission chapel, costing eight hun- 
dred dollars has been built and paid for excepting one hun- 
dred and seventy-five dollars. The church is united and in 
a very flourishing condition, known far and wide for its ortho- 
doxy, spirituality and activity. 

Alonzo Taylor was born in Franklin county, North Caro- 
lina, March 27, 1847. He received his collegiate education in 
Mississippi College. Later he entered the Southern Baptist 
Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, in the fall of 1882, 
and continued until June, 1883, graduating in Old Testament 
interpretation, English. He was ordained at Mount Pisgah 
church, Hinds county, Miss., in 1881. He was pastor of Pine 
Bluff and Galilee in 1881; of Central church in 1883; was mis- 
sionary in the Mississippi valley from 1884 till 1889. He was 
then pastor of Liverpool and Mount Pisgah churches in 1889 ; 
and of Ogden, Yazoo county, for several years. His present 
address is Cynthia, Miss. He is a man of culture and good 
preaching ability. 

Thomas Cox Teasdale, D. D., was born in the township 
of Wantage, Sussex county, N. J., December 2, 1808. He 
is the second son of the late Hon. Thomas and Mrs. Hannah 
Teasdale. His grandfather, Rev. Thomas Teasdale, who was 
an earnest Baptist preacher, emigrated from England to this 
country when his eldest son, Thomas, the father of Dr. Teas- 
dale, was fourteen years of age. Not long after his arrival 
in this country, Mr. Teasdale settled in the northern part of 
Sussex county, N. J., and took charge of a church, which is 
known as the Hamburg church. Although he received calls 
to take charge of important city churches with offers of tempt- 
ing salaries, he could not be induced to sever the ties that 
bound him to his country church, and continued to serve 
that church so dear to him, until the time of his death. In 
the fall of 1826 it pleased God to impress him most deeply 



656 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

with a sense of the need of his salvation. He felt it to be his 
duty to identify himself with the people of God, and accord- 
ingly he related his exercises of mind to the church, and was 
accepted as a candidate for the impressive and symbolic ordi- 




REV. THOS. C. TEASDALE, D. D. 
nance of Christian baptism. On the next day, a bleak Novem- 
ber Sabbath in 1826, he was baptized by Rev. Leonard 
Fletcher. A year later, as he was reading the Bible, suddenly 
the thought occurred to him, "now shut the book, and then 
hold its lids in a perpendicular position, let it open of itseH 
and you will find some important personal instruction right 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 657 

there." Following this singular impulse, he placed the 
Bible in the prescribed position and let it open of its own 
accord; it opened to the thirty-third chapter of the prophecy 
of Ezekiel, which the reader is invited to turn to and read. 
He was thoroughly impressed from that time that it was his 
duty to preach the gospel, but had to struggle against the 
allurements and temptations of the wicked one. Hard was 
the struggle, till the Lord came to his rescue, and he then 
decided, finally, to do the bidding of the Master, whatever it 
might be. He made a perfect surrender of himself to the 
dictates of duty; having decided the question, he immediately 
resumed his studies, and at the same time began to exercise 
his gifts in prayer and exhortation in the social gatherings 
of God's people. In the spring of 1828 he was called to exer- 
cise his gifts before the church, with a view to obtaining a 
license to preach. In the month of May, 1828, he set out 
for the seminary, which, after a tedious journey of about a 
week, he reached in health and safety, and immediately entered 
upon his prescribed course of studies, at the Literary and 
Theological Seminary, Hamilton, N. Y., now known as Mad- 
ison University. The intended course, of Dr. Teasdale at 
the seminary was interrupted by ill health, and consequently, 
late in the fall of 1830, he concluded to accept a call to the 
pastorate of a church in East Bennington, Vermont. Dr. 
Teasdale repaired to his native county and the church of his 
membership, and on the 16th day of December, 1830, he was 
fully inducted into the gospel ministry by prayer and the 
laying on of the hands of Revs. Fletcher, Piatt and Anderson. 
Immediately after his ordination Dr. Teasdale returned to 
Bennington and devoted himself to the duties of the pastorate. 
On the 16th day of November, 1821, he was married to 
Miss Delia Lottridge, daughter of Capt. Robert Lottridge, a 
thrifty farmer, who resided in the immediate vicinity of Hoo- 
sick Falls, Renssellear county, N. Y. In the spring of 1832 
he removed with his young bride to the city of Philadelphia, 
Pa., he spent four years in Philadelphia and its vicinity, and 
devoted most of that time to evangelical labors, first under 
the direction of the City Missionary Society, and secondly 
as general agent and evangelist of the Central Union Baptist 
Association. His labors were eminently successful in that 



658 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

important field. The church at West Chester, Chester county, 
Pa., was organized under his auspices, and he spent a year 
with that body after its organization, in order to give it a 
proper foothold in the village. He also aided in the meet- 
ings that gave rise to the Norristown, Phoenixville, Windsor 
and Radnor churches, and aided the pastors of many other 
churches, in which his labors were greatly blessed. In the 
spring of 1836 he was invited to take charge of the High 
School in Newton, N. J., a town of his native county. The 
First and Second Baptist churches of Newton — one located 
in the village of Lafayette and the other in the town of New- 
ton — also requested his services as their pastor. He remained 
in Newton four years, and his efforts in awakening a deeper 
interest in the cause of education and in building up die 
churches in that section of the State were eminently successful. 
In the spring of 1840 he was invited to the care of the First 
Baptist church in the city of New Haven, Conn.; he remained 
with this church five years. During his five years' pastorate 
in New Haven, over four hundred rejoicing souls were added 
to the church by baptism alone; during his pastorate at this 
place a Second Baptist church was organized by mutual con- 
sent. When he gave up his charge at New Haven for another 
field of labor, he left his church with six hundred members. 
While pastor of the First church in New Haven he received 
trie honorary degree of Master of Arts from the Columbian 
College, Washington, D. C, then under the presidency of 
Rev. T. S. Bacon, D. D. In the spring of 1845 he accepted 
a call to the pastorate of the Grant Street church, Pittsburg, 
Pa. ; during a pastorate of five years in this city over four hun- 
dred persons were added to the church by baptism, and a 
considerable number by letter. In the spring of 1850 he be- 
came pastor of the First Baptist church, in Springfield, 111.; 
his labors here were crowned with success, during his stay of 
two years. In the spring of 1852 he was invited to supply 
the E Street church in Washington City for six months; his 
labors in this church were blessed in the awakening and con- 
version of a goodly number of souls and in the addition of 
many to the church, both by baptism and letter. At the expi- 
ration of this engagement with the E Street church it was 
thought that another Baptist church was required to meet 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 659 

the .exigencies of the denomination in the national metrop- 
olis. Accordingly a new church was organized, and he was 
unanimously and earnestly requested to take the pastoral 
care of it which he did, and through his efficient efforts a 
beautiful edifice was erected on Thirteenth street — the most 
commodious and attractive at the time in this important centre 
of influence. He remained in Washington nearly seven years, 
and his labors there were eminently successful. It was dur- 
ing his pastorate in Washington in 1852, that he received the 
honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity, from Union College, 
Schenectady, N. Y., then under the presidency of Rev. Dr. 
North. While engaged in raising money to erect the new 
church edifice in Washington he traveled some sixty-five 
thousand miles and performed a vast amount of evangelical 
work. In the spring of 1858 he received a call to take charge 
of the First Baptist church at Columbus, Miss., and in October 
of that year Dr. Teasdale removed to his new field of labor; 
he had held a protracted meeting in Columbus six months be- 
fore, during which some four hundred persons were converted. 
In 1863 he resigned the care of the church in Columbus and 
repaired to the tented fields to preach to the Southern soldiers. 
Here his labors were pre-eminently successful. He con- 
tinued with the army until Atlanta had fallen; as the troops 
w r ere then continually in motion, he found it impossible to 
hold protracted meetings with the soldiers, and returned to 
his home in Mississippi. In the summer of 1869 Dr. Teas- 
dale was elected corresponding secretary of the Sunday-school 
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. After mature 
and prayerful deliberation, he deemed it his duty to accept the 
appointment, and on the 15th day of September of that year, 
entered upon the duties of his new position. The Sunday- 
school Board of the Southern Baptist Convention the year 
previous, reported the receipts for the year between three and 
four thousand dollars. During the fiscal year, ending May 
1, 1871, under the management of Dr. Teasdale, the gross 
receipts of the board were nineteen thousand one hundred 
and sixty-eight dollars and ninetv-eight cents. He closed 
his labors as secretary of the board on September 15, 1871. 
On retirinsr from the secretaryship of the Sunday-school 
Board, when the final parting took place, it was effected with 



660 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the warmest expressions of mutual esteem and ardent affection. 
Immediately after having closed his official connection with 
the Sunday-school Board, Dr. Teasdale entered upon the work 
of a general evangelist throughout the Southern States, for 
which his brethren thought him to be eminently qualified; 
he continued in this work for about three years, holding meet- 
ings in various towns and cities in Mississippi, Louisiana, 
Texas, Alabama, Tennessee. Kentucky, Virginia and Wash- 
ington City. His success in most instances was very con- 
siderable, and a large number in the aggregate were added 
to the churches with whom he held meetings. In the sum- 
mer of 1873 Dr. Teasdale was elected to the chair of rhetoric 
and elocution in the East Tennessee University at Knoxville, 
and at the opening of the college year, 1874, he entered upon 
his duties in that institution. Dr. Teasdale, in addition to 
the discharge of his duties in the university, is acting as pastor 
of the new church located on McGee street, in the northern 
part of the city of Knoxville, Turn. 

Dr. Teasdale's life has been one of great activity and 
usefulness. He has baptized over three thousand persons 
on a profession of their faith in Christ; witnessed the con- 
version of some fifteen thousand souls under his ministry ; 
preached about fifteen thousand sermons; published several 
pamphlets and books, the principal of the latter of which is a 
volume of his " Revival Discourses;" edited at different 
periods three religious periodicals; assisted in establishing the 
Orphan's Home in Mississippi; contributed materially in 
building up other institutions of learning and religion; and 
conducted through most of his public life a very large cor- 
respondence; and though verging to the allotted period of 
man on earth. Dr. Teasdale still enjoys a remarkable degree 
oi vigor, both of body and mind. — Borum's Sketches. 

Giving up his work in the University Dr. Teasdale re- 
turned to Mississippi, and from 1885 made his home in Col- 
umbus among friends of former days. As his health and 
strength would permit he preached in different revivals in 
the State, and about this time published his quite interesting 
''Reminiscences of a Long Life." After a long and active 
life he " fell on sleep" at his home in the beautiful city of Col- 
umbus, April 4. 1891. at the age of over eighty-one. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 66l 

William Thomas was born in Tennessee April 5, 1817. 
He moved, with his parents, at an early age, to Lawrence 
county, Ala., professed religion at about sixteen years of age, 
and joined a Baptist church. He married Miss N. J. Gibson, 
daughter of Rev. Sylvanus Gibson, in January, 1838, and at 
once moved to Itawamba county, Mississippi, settling at Van 
Buren, on the Tombigbee River, and engaging in the mercan- 
tile business. He was ordained to the ministry, probably in 
the fall of 1838, and was one of the original members in the 
organization and was the first pastor of Hopewell Baptist 
church, and was pastor of the same church about fort].' con- 
secutive years. During this time several other churches were 
organized from border members of this church and probably 
a dozen ministers ordained, two of whom labored in foreign 
fields, viz.: A. D. Phillips, who went in the fifties as a mission- 
ary to Africa, remaining there as such probably twenty-five 
years, and E. L. Compere, who went to the Indian Nation and 
who labors among them yet. Besides this church he sup- 
plied a number of other churches in his own and adjoining 
counties. He, for about forty-five years gave his time to the 
service, being a close Bible student, apt in the arrangement of 
his sermons, fluent of speech, using strong terms yet in a per- 
suasive and impressive manner. He was held in high esteem 
as a minister by all who knew him. 

He was heard to say some two years before his death, 
which was caused by paralysis in November, 1885, that the 
nearest he could tell he had administered the ordinance of 
baptism to fifteen hundred persons and officiated in the mar- 
riage of as many couples. He raised a family of eight children, 
six of whom survive him. His last words to those of his 
familv who were present, were: "Always speak the truth in 
love." 

Ivy F. Thompson, "an earnest, eloquent and effectual 
preacher in Eastern Louisiana, was born in Mississippi in 
1820; distinguished himself as a lawyer; labored ten years in 
the ministry at Greensburg, La. ; was four years moderator of 
the Mississippi River Association. He died in I860." — Bap- 
tist Encyclopoedia, p. 1150. 



662 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

John Thompson was born in the town of Leicester, 
England, March 27, I860. When about six years old was 
sent to school and took such advantage of an education as 
could be gained in a common school until he was about thir- 
teen years old, at which time he thought he had sufficient 
education to carry him through the world. Having at that 
time no greater ambition than to learn a trade as a means to 
procure an honest living, he sought and found employment 
in a shoe factory where he learned to make and mend shoes, 
and followed that occupation until he was seventeen and half 
years old. His religious training was encouraged by his 
parents, who though not professors of religion at that time 
believed in their children going to Sabbath-school. This, 
of course, grew out of their reverence for the Lord's day and 
the Bible that they believed to be of God. So to the Sabbath- 
school he must go every Sabbath morning and afternoon 
according to law, and that law as he grew older, he is glad to 
say, he learned to love. While a member of the Sabbath- 
school he attended church also as opportunity presented itself 
to him, with some profit to his soul, and he humbly trusts, 
an influence for good over others. Many times while listen- 
ing to God's word preached he has been, before his conver- 
sion, aroused to a sense of his guilt before God, nor would 
sleep come to his eyes until late hours in the morning. He 
was in this condition for more than two years, sensible of his 
guilt before God, and his need of a Savior, yet doubting to 
his utmost that Christ would receive a sinner like him. It 
was in the spring of 1877 that he listened one Sabbath night 
to a sermon preached by the Rev. John Clark from these 
words: "And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel, the 
Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, W 7 e are journeying unto the 
place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou 
with us, and we will do thee good; for the Lord hath spoken 
good concerning Israel." (Num. 10: 29.) This sermon was 
not only full of invitations to him but it convinced him of the 
mercy of God. On his way home, also after retiring to his 
room, he thought and prayed over his sad condition, the in- 
vitations he had listened to, and the mercy of God in Christ 
for sinners. At this moment he prayed God to accept him 
according to his gracious invitations, and almost uncon- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 663 

sciously he rose up singing in a low tone to himself from an 

experience that he has never doubted since: 

" 'Tis done, the great transaction's done; 
I am my Lord's and he is mine; 
He drew me and I followed on, 
Charmed to confess the voice divine." 

Shortly after his profession of faith he united with the 
Congregationalists inasmuch as he had been going to the 
Sabbath-school of that body, and at that time was the oldest 
member of the Sabbath-school. One thing that he admired 
about the Congregationalists was their church polity. He 
did not need sprinkling in his efforts to join a church for the 
reason that his parents had this done when he was about nine 
years old, and that too in St. George's Episcopal church, Rut- 
land street, Leicester, Eng. You will not understand, reader, 
that his parents were ever Episcopalians. They were not 
even professors of religion. But they had their children 
" christened" because they were named, to confirm their name, 
because they had been persuaded, because it would do their 
children good, because somebody else had their children 
sprinkled. He can never forget his feelings, young as he 
was, nor his protest against a few drops of water being put 
upon him for baptism. He continued a member of the Con- 
\gregationalist until October, 1877. At that time he left 
England to make America his future home. He had read a 
great deal about the "new world" in his boyhood days, and 
many of his kindred and friends had emigrated to it, and he, 
when a boy of twelve years old, wanted to go too. When 
seventeen and half years old he got the consent of his parents 
to let him go to America upon the plea that he wanted to see 
the country and try to make more money. The two desires 
were before him for several years before his profession of 
faith, but another reason he kept hid in his breast until the 
day of examination for ordination to the gospel ministry. 
After coming to America and settling in LaFayette county, 
Miss., he soon found that there were no Congregational 
churches, hence he united with Free Springs Methodist church 
LaFayette county, Miss., in which he lived until his conscience 
and will was overcome by the Bible and the Holy Spirit to 
submit to Bible baptism and join a church of Jesus Christ. 
After he was fully convinced of the fact of his duty he pre- 



664 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

sented himself for membership to New Hope Baptist church, 
of LaFayette county, and was received. The first Lord's day 
in October, 1880, he was baptized by the pastor, Rev. D. M. 
Lowrey. Having followed Christ in baptism and joined a 
people that were everywhere spoken against, not only to his 
satisfaction but at the expense of contempt from many that 
claimed to be friends, he was compelled to make CVist his 
constant companion, for he felt that all men had forsaken him. 
Conviction of duty grew upon him now afresh, of duty to 
preach the gospel. This conviction he received but a very 
short time after his profession of faith in Christ, and notwith- 
standing his desire to see America and the prospect of making 
money, he was determined to make a change to stifle or sat- 
isfy, if possible, the conviction of duty to preach the gospel, 
for it was spoken of and he had been asked to exercise his 
gift in public. Shortly after becoming a member of New 
Hope Baptist church he was approached at various times by 
brethren who put to him such questions in reference to his 
call to preach, that demanded candid answers. He gave them 
such answers, and at the same time would remind them of 
his inability, asking them by no means to make it public. This 
he can say truthfully, that in all his efforts to excuse himself 
of the duty to go and preach the gospel he never denied the 
conviction of the duty. His conviction has always been that 
it was God's will, and aside from the effort regardless of the 
present willingness he has never found the peace that His ser- 
vants should have; not only does he feel it to be his duty to 
preach but he feels, "woe is unto me if I preach not the 
gospel." 

On September 10, 1883, he was licensed to preach by 
New Hope Baptist church, LaFayette county, Miss. ; the same 
night he preached his first sermon at that church, and the 
blessing that God gave him for that single act of obedience 
will never be forgotten. He preached as opportunity pre- 
sented itself, and in August, 1886, was called to the care of 
Alt Manna church, of Desoto county, Miss. November 7, 
1886, he was called to ordination by New Hope church, La- 
Fayette county, Miss. He has been pastor of Mt. Manna, 
Bethel and Elim churches, and at this time (1894) is pastor 
of Byhalia, Red Banks and Coldwater churches. His min-. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 665 

isterial work has been altogether in the Coldwater Associa- 
tion, nor has he ever lived out ol the Coldwater Association 
since he came to America, except fifteen months. He has 
always been fortunate enough to be called to churches that 
seemed to be in their spell of down-sitting rather than in the 
pleasure of up-rising. He supposes his experience is like that 
of most preachers. The work he loves and God only knows 
the amount he is in his "feeble way" trying to do for his glory, 
as he expresses it. 

Jonathan Parker Thompson, son of Rev. Jonathan Pa- 
ker Thompson and Sarah (Croxton) Thompson, was born in 
Lancaster district, South Carolina, March 1, 1852. He emi- 
grated with his parents to Alabama in 1842, and settled in 
Tuscaloosa county, near the town of Tuscaloosa, where he grew 
to manhood, attending such schools and at such times as the 
county and his opportunities afforded. He professed faith in 
Christ and united with the Baptist church called Little Sandy, 
and was baptized by his father in 1848. In 1854, feeling it 
to be his duty to preach the gospel he entered Howard College, 
Marion, Ala., where he spent three years. During these three 
years Dr. Talbird was president and Profs. A. B. Goodhue, 
N. K. Davis, R. A. Montague, Sherman and Brown were mem- 
bers of the faculty. He was ordained to the full work of 
the ministry at Little Sandy church into the fellowship of 
which he was baptized, in 1857. In 1858 he taught school 
and supplied four churches, near Carthage, in Tuscaloosa 
county, and Havana, in Green county (now Hale county), 
making his home with D.eacon R. Y. Woods. In February, 
1859, he went to Texas, and worked as agent under the pat- 
ronage of the Foreign Mission Board. After several months' 
service on this line he accepted the care of the church at Gilmer, 
Upshur county. At the close of 1860 he returned to Alabama 
and was united in marriage January 1, 1861, to Miss Nannie 
Irena Camak, of Green county, where he remained during 
the four years of war, preaching to the churches in reach. 
In 1866 he taught school in Havana, Green county, Ala. In 
1867 he moved upon his farm in Tuscaloosa and became 
pastor of Gilgal and Big Sandy churches. In the fall of 1867 
he came west and located at Lodi, Montgomery county, Miss., 



666 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

and was pastor of Hay's Creek and Mulberry churches with- 
out intermission for fifteen years, and of other churches dur- 
ing this period. In 1887 he moved to Slate Springs, Calhoun 
county, where he now resides, and is pastor of the Slate 
Springs church and of other neighboring churches in the 
country, giving his whole time to the churches. He feels 
that he has great reason to rejoice and praise the Lord for his 
wonderful goodness, both in temporal and spiritual blessings; 
a noble and self-sacrificing wife to comfort and cheer him in 
his work, six loving and obedient children to gladden his 
heart. One of these children is not with them now, for God 
took her to himself, but not long after taking Maggie in in- 
fancy he called a son and sent him into his vineyard to preach 
the blessed gospel, who now serves most acceptably the Utica 
and Raymond churches. He says: " Let the Lord be praised 
for his wonderful goodness." Being now in his sixty-third 
year he looks back upon the past with gladness and regret — 
gladness that God has counted him faithful, putting him in 
the great work of the ministry and has bestowed so many 
manifestations of his goodness and presence; regtets that 
his life has been so imperfect and that he has accomplished so 
little in his ministry. He is now nearing the period of human 
life, he feels that his race is almost ended; yet his great de- 
sire is that the years which remain, whether few or many, 
whether of prosperity or adversity, may be spent in doing 
good. Mr. Thompson is a man of strong character; he has 
convictions and dares to defend them; he is, nevertheless, of 
a noble and quiet disposition. His orthodoxy is unques- 
tioned; he preaches the old gospel once for all delivered to 
the saints. He denounces sin in all its forms, yet preaches 
the truth in love. He is a good minister of Jesus Christ, and 
will no doubt have many stars in his crown of rejoicing. As 
to his personal deportment, he is " a living epistle, known and 
i-ead of all men." A friend at Slate Springs says, " He has 
Hved among us for seven years and has been the faithful 
pastor of the church during that time. His labors have been 
greatly blessed here and in other churches where he has 
preached. He is a noble and consecrated Christian gentle- 
man, doing for the Master most earnestly the work before 
him, relying fully upon God's promises. He is a warm friend, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



667 



a genial companion, an eminent citizen. None know him 
but to love him. His faithful and devoted wife has indeed 
been to him a help-meet, and is always ready in every good 
word and work. God has graciously given him all of his chil- 
dren to journey with him to that better land. May God 
abundantly bless him and spare him many years to work foi 
the Master whom he delights to honor." 



W. G. Thompson, a man of about fifty years of age, has 
spent almost the whole of his life so far in North Mississippi. 
He was a true and gallant soldier in the Confederate army. 
His education, on this account, was seriously interfered with. 
But, through his own exertions he has made himself master of 
a fair education. He spent one session in the Southern Bap- 
List Theological Seminary, that of 1869 and 1870, giving him- 
self with zeal and determination to his studies. He now (1894) 
lives at Blue Mountain and teaches school in the surrounding 
country, and preaches to neighboring churches. During the 
war he lost an arm, which interferes with manual labor. 

E. E.Thornton, 

the subject of 
this sketch, the 
fourth child in a 
family of eleven 
children, was 

born in Green 
county, Ala., and 
was brought by 
his parents, John 
and Mary S. 
Thornton, to 

Chickasaw coun- 
ty, Miss., while an 
infant. Here he 
was reared on a 
farm with but few 
advantages for 
early training, the 
civil war having swept away the property inherited and accum- 
ulated by his parents. At nineteen years of age, he started to 




REV. E. E. THORNTON. 



668 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

school, spending one year at Oak Grove Academy in Chicka- 
saw county, near his home, and two years at Cooper Institute 
in Lauderdale county, Miss. While at the latter place, he was 
converted, and returning home, the next summer joined the 
Baptist church at Xew Salem. Four years later, while teach- 
ing in the school at Atlanta, Miss., he was licensed to preach. 
In October of the same year, 1881, he went to the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, Ky., where he 
spent two years, graduating in the English course. Returning 
to Mississippi, he was called to the care of his home 
church, at Buena Vista, and three other neighboring churches. 
In this held he labored for three years, baptizing 
three hundred and ten persons into these churches, 
besides a great many were restored and joined by letter. 
In 1889, he was called to the care of the churches 
at Brooksville, Deerbrook, and Cliftonville, Xoxubee county, 
Miss., and here he spent a short, but happy and pros- 
perous pastorate of nine months, baptizing twenty-two persons, 
into these churches. Thence he was calLed to Kosciusko, 
Attala county, and Carthage, Leake county, Miss. Living in 
the former place, he divided his time equally between the two 
places. At Carthage, the Baptists had no house of worship, 
and, in consequence, were placed at great disadvantage in the 
town. During the year, forty-eight persons were baptized into 
this church, means were raised to build a house of worship, 
and the church was encouraged to call and move a pastor into 
their midst. In connection with his work at Kosciusko, Mr. 
Thornton was then called to the care of the* churches at Mc- 
Cool and French Camp, Miss. Four and a half years were 
spent at Kosciusko in laying plans, collecting material, and 
building one of the neatest and best arranged houses of wor- 
ship in the State; and, at the same time, a neat commodious 
house of worship was completed at McCool. On the 23d i A 
December, 1891, Mr. Thornton was married to Miss Mattie 
Hill, of Houston, Miss., and she is "a help-meet for him'' in 
"every good word and work." In June. 1892, Mr. Thornton 
was called to the care of the church at Lexington, Miss., his 
present home and pastorate. He is also pastor at Durant, 
where he now has a most substantial and conveniently ar- 
ranged brick house of worship in course of construction. Mr. 
Thornton delights in building houses of worship, is a careful 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 669 

and watchful pastor, and, during a ministry of eleven years, has 
baptized four hundred and sixty-six persons into the churches 
of which he has been pastor. As a preacher, he is mild and 
cautious, careful never to say anything in the pulpit for which 
he has not a Scripture proof-text at command. He relies upon 
the simple truths of the gospel as "the power of God unto 
salvation," to men. 

Marmaduke Kimbrough Thornton, subject of this sketch, 
was born on his father's farm near Buena Vista, Mississippi, 
June 15, 1859. He was one of a large family of children born 
of John and Mary S. Thornton, who were poor people, but 
remarkable for uprightness of Christian character. They did 
all in their power to teach their children that "the chief end of 
man" is to "fear God and keep His commandments." Mr. 
Thornton grew up on the farm as a farm laborer. His school 
advantages were limited but he applied his spare moments to 
books so diligently that by the time he was twenty-one years 
old he could teach school. His first experience as a teacher 
was in a school four miles east of Houston known as the James 
Parker school, so named from Mr. James Parker, a leading 
man in the community and a trustee at the time. He com- 
menced the school the first Monday in January, 1880, under 
contract to teach four months, but by the time he had taught 
three months and about two weeks in the fourth the children 
all dropped out leaving our young teacher with experience, 
observations and the remnants of switches to tell the tale of a 
premature death — of the school. Some have thought those 
switches used too freely caused this premature death, but 
others think the young teacher would have done better riad he 
been more experienced. There are some choice families in 
that community and Mr. Thornton is proud to name them 
among his best friends but he thinks there were some at the 
time he taught who were not so choice. He continued, how- 
ever, to teach some in different communities until 1884 when 
he bade the profession a final good-bye. Mr. Thornton says 
he Has in his life ditched, spilt rails, plowed — in short done 
every kind of hard work on the farm, — done mission work in 
Arkansas as well as Mississippi, having to walk, ride kicking 
mules, pitching mustangs, go in wagons and in almost every 



670 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

other style in which men travel, but that school teaching is 
the hardest work he ever did. In fact he says if he were left 
to choose between teaching public schools in the country or 
nursing babies for a living he would take the latter, and feel 
proud of his contract though he is not specially fond of nurs- 
ing. 

In the summer of 1881 Mr. Thornton made a profession 
of faith in Christ in a meeting held by Rev. R. W. Thompson 
in the Midway church in Calhoun county, Miss. He remem- 
bers with much pleasure Capt. G. W. Naron as the one who 
persuaded him to give his heart to the Lord. He loves Capt. 
Naron and shall always feel that he owes much to him. May 
the richest blessings rest on the good captain and if these lines 
fall under his eyes may they be an inspiration to him to press 
forward in the Master's work. Let him know that there are 
the most precious promises to the one who brings a sinner to 
the Savior. After Mr. Thompson had finished the sermon 
and made the exhortation to the sinners to accept Christ, Capt. 
Naron arose and made a most earnest appeal to the sinners. 
It was this appeal which brought him to Christ. He was 
baptized by Rev. W. L. Gideon, of blessed memory, in Septem- 
ber of the same year into the fellowship of New Salem church, 
Chickasaw county. In the summer of 1883 Mr. Thornton 
heard Rev. R. W. Thompson in a meeting at Pleasant Grove 
church in Chickasaw county preach from Jeremiah 3:14, 15, 
and there felt for the first time that he should preach. But he 
was slow to yield to this impression knowing the responsi- 
bilities resting upon one who was to fill the holy calling of a 
preacher, and also knowing how important not to make a mis- 
take in this line. But after more than a year's prayerful con- 
sideration of the matter he was set apart by the church at New 
Salem in ordination to preach. He was ordained September 
13th, 1885, and started the week following to Mississippi 
College where he remained until 1889, when he was graduated, 
taking the A. B. course. He went from school to Glen Allen 
and Leland in the ''Mississippi Bottom" where he preached 
until the following May. This was a pleasant field of labor but 
he soon gave way to the malaria in which that country more 
or less abounds. While he was there he did a good work, 
not only in his own pastorate but in holding revivals through- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS 671 

out that section of the country. On the second Sunday in 
May, 1890, he took charge of the church at Okolona, Miss., 
where he did a pleasant work. Mr. Thornton says Okolona 
Baptist church is one of the most delightful churches in the 
country. This may be partly accounted for by the fact that he 
married Miss Annie Knox, a most charming member of the 
Okolona church. They were married April 22d, 1891. Mrs. 
Thornton has really and truly been a help-meet and companion. 
She was young, cultured and consecrated and withal one of 
the most beautiful young women the writer ever saw. Her 
accomplishments in music are very rare. She took her music 
at the Boston Conservatory of Music. In the summer of 1891 
Mr. Thornton resigned the care of the Okolona church and 
accepted that of the church at Helena, Ark. Here the Lord 
blessed his labors most wonderfully. He thinks here was the 
most successful work of his life, but he could not stand the 
low malaria climate and in the summer of 1893 resigned the 
Helena church over the protests of a united membership, to 
accept work in Texas. On the third Sabbath in October he 
took charge of the church at Marlin, Texas, where he is doing 
a good work. The Lord has blessed his labors wonderfully 
at Marlin. 

Isham Patten Trotter saw the light of this world near the 
quiet inland town of Lodi, Miss., on June 8, 1857. His parents 
were then people of some means, but the merciless hand of war 
soon took from them most of their property. His father is 
Capt. I. P. Trotter, who served as a captain during the entire 
war under Forest, resigning his seat in the legislature of Mis- 
sissippi in order to respond to the call to arms. There being- 
no daughters in the family, he was, perhaps, more than any of 
his five brothers, his mother's assistant. He was possessed of 
a quiet and even temper, and was, by nature, a moral boy. He 
never used an oath nor was he ever drunk. He thought no 
evil, believed all things, endured all things, hoped all things, 
as nearly as this may be said of innocent boys. He was con- 
verted at the age of fourteen under the preaching of Rev. J. P. 
Thompson, and was by him baptized into the membership of 
the Mulberry Baptist church which is now located in Lodi. 
He came by degrees to feel that it was his duty to preach the 



672 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

gospel. This call of God came to him in the form of a duty, 
as A. Judson was called of God to go as a missionary to the 
heathen. He had fair educational advantages. He taught 
school more or less each year for five years, finishing his first 
school before he was eighteen years of age. In earlier years 
he had acted as a kind of assistant to his father in the school 
room. By teaching school and borrowing means from two 
of his brothers he was able to go through Mississippi College 
without aid from the Board of Ministerial Education. He 
prefered to pay his own way though he was in debt some six 
hundred dollars when he graduated. He spent four years at 
Mississippi College, taking the degree of A. M., and dividing 
honors with President W. T. Lowrey, who took the first 
honors of the class while he was the class' valedictorian. 
During his college course he was elected to every position his 
literary society could give him from door-keeper to anniver- 
sarian. 

After graduating at Mississippi College in 1881, he went 
as missionary pastor to Alexandria and Pineville, La. He was 
ordained in his home church in Winona, Miss., just before 
going to his field of work in Louisiana. In the fall of 1882 he 
entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louis- 
ville, Ky. He held pastorates at Buck Creek and Elk Creek in 
Kentucky, and at Orleans, Ind., during his four years course 
at the Seminar}-. In June, 1886, he delivered his graduating 
address as a full course student, receiving the vote of the entire 
class as one of the speakers. He "supplied" the St. Francis 
Street church, Mobile, Ala., for some four months during the 
ensuing summer. From this place he was called to the pas- 
torate of the Baptist church in Brownsville, Tennessee, where 
he now (1894) is. His pastorate of this church dates from 
October 10, 1886. During his pastorate the church has in- 
creased from something about one hundred and seventy-five 
members to two hundred and fifty members at the present 
time. This is one of the best organized and best working 
churches in the State of Tennessee. 

George Tucker, on Thursday, the 4th of May, 1882, 
peacefully and quietly died in his 76th year. Three-quarters 
of a century is a long time to live, and few ever attain unto 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 673 

it. But God graciously spared him all those years, for 
a wise purpose. It is equally remarkable, that he should 
have given more than sixty years of his life to the 
service of God, and more than fifty-five of these years 
to the blessed work of preaching the gospel. For 
more than forty-five years, he was actively engaged as 
pastor of churches in the several States of Tennessee, Alabama, 
Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana, and for the remainder, was 
almost constantly employed as evangelist and missionary. He 
never would consent to lay down his holy calling. When in 
the army, though he responded with alacrity and courage to 
every call of duty, whether in the camp, or the march, or the 
battlefield, yet he was also found around the soldiers ; camp 
fires, speaking to them of our blessed and holy religion, and as 
occasion offered, he was ready in the public assembly, to preach 
the gospel of the blessed Christ. After the war he engaged for 
a time in a secular calling, but not to the exclusion of his 
gospel commission. But in city or country, in house or field, 
he was ever ready to preach the gospel. For more than five 
years, I have known him intimately. I Have traveled with 
him, slept with him, talked with' him, labored with him, and 
while he has often deplored his short comings, his mistakes and 
failures in the past, his chief, if not only regret touching the 
present or future, was that his failing health and strength was 
depriving him of the high privilege of preaching the gospel, 
which had ever been the delight of his life. Since the death 
of his son, Rev. J. H. Tucker, last fall, with whom Brother 
Tucker and his wife had long made their home, they 
have been members of the family of Mr. Georg° A. 
Turner, one of our excellent deacons, whose wife is 
one of their daughters, and one of the good women 
of this earth. Their church home also was with us. 
The disease which terminated our brother's life, was 
chronic bronchitis, which was caused by exposure in meeting 
his engagements as a missionary of our State Mission Board. 
He was confined to his room and bed for five months; his 
sufferings were great, but with commendable patience, and for- 
titude, he bore it all. The living testimony, and that of the 
closing hours of the lonsr life of Brother Tucker, cannot fail 
to be of great value to the cause of true religion. In all of 



674 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

these fifty-five years of ministerial life and work, he must have 
attained to high work in God's favor, if there be any such thing 
as saving works or human merit. What a multitude of pray- 
ers, of sermons, of generous deeds and good works! Surely, 
if any man could rest his hopes upon such things, he could. 
But not so. In the way of obtaining salvation, he counted 
them as nothing for Christ. He said among his last utter- 
ances, "I have tried to serve God faithfully, and have made 
many mistakes, but my motives were pure. I did the best I 
could under the circumstances." But this even, was not the 
ground of his hope. At the last he said, "I was born a sinner; 
in spite of my best endeavors to the contrary, I have lived a 
sinner and now I am dying a sinner ; but I expect to be saved 
by a sinner's Savior. My trust is firm, my hope is strong, my 
way is clear; I only await the Master's coming." With words 
like these, the good man fell asleep. — J. A. H. 

Mr. Tucker was born in Tennessee, December 12, 1806. 
He was for a time the able pastor of the church at Columbus, 
Miss. He has been president of the Mississippi Baptist Con- 
vention; and was a major in the Confederate army during the 
war. He has baptized fourteen hundred persons. 

W. H.Tucker was born 
in Springfield, La., February 
26, 1840. At the age of 
twenty years he graduated 
in medicine in New Orleans. 
He enlisted in the late war, 
uniting with Company K, 
Seventh Louisiana Regi- 
ment, and served as surgeon 
until the close of the strife, 
being in Richmond when 
^ the city surrendered. After 
; the war he gave up the prac- 
tice of medicine except oc- 
casionally, and entered the 
REV. W. H. TUCKER. ministry,' serving in that ca- 

pacity until stricken with paralysis in March, 1886. He was 
received into the First Baptist church, Richmond, Va., 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 675 

April 10, 1864, and was baptized by Dr. J. L. Burrows. He 
was ordained by Salem Baptist church, near Magnolia, Miss., 
December 27, 1868, the presbytery consisting of Revs. J. R. 
Graves, E. C. Eager, and T. J. Drane. 

He was pastor at different times of various churches in 
Mississippi and Louisiana. He was also connected for a time 
with the Orphans' Home at Lauderdale, Miss. He preached 
at the Coliseum Baptist church, New Orleans, after the death 
of the pastor, Dr. N. W. Wilson. 

Dr. Tucker was twice married. He was first married to 
Miss Wilana Dabney, of Brookfield, Va., November 1, 1866. 
His wife having been dead several years, he was married a 
second time, Miss Asenath Gordon, of Amite county, Miss., 
becoming his wife, December 22, 1880. Two children were 
born to him one by each marriage, and both daughters. On 
March 24, 1886, he was stricken with paralysis and was never 
strong any more. On December 12, 1889, the summons came, 
and he went to his reward. Dr. Tucker was a kind husband, 
a modest man, and a good preacher. 

J. L. Turnage was born at Holly Springs, Miss., July 28, 
1852. He professed faith in Christ in 1870, and united with 
the Methodists on probation at Byhalia. But on comparing 
their doctrines with the doctrines of the Bible decided they 
would not do. He, after a thorough investigation, united with 
the Baptist church at Center Hill and was baptized by Rev. Mr. 
Styne. He afterwards moved his membership to Clear Creek 
in LaFayette county in 1873, to Mt. Zion in 1875, where he 
was licensed to preach in May, and fully set apart to the work 
of the ministry by this church on September 3, of same year, 
Revs. St. Clair Lawrence, J. F. Benson and W. A. Reynolds 
officiating. In 1887 he moved to Bethel and from there to 
Saltillo, in 1890. He was an old defender of the faith. He 
baptized during his short ministry between seven and eight 
hundred converts. He was married to Miss Emma D. Howell, 
of Byhalia, Marshal county, January 28, 1874, Mr. Williams 
officiating. He made several trips to Texas to preach and 
hold meetings. The Lord greatly blessed his labors in the 
Lone Star State, quite a number being baptized by him out 
there. 



676 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

He left his family at Saltillo December 7, 1893, went to 
Red River county, Texas, to preach for four churches and 
teach a literary school, expecting to move his family in the 
spring of 1894, and to make Texas his home. But after a 
short but severe attack of pneumonia he died December 24, 
and on December 28, was buried at Saltillo, Miss., a very .large 
number of persons being at the funeral service. As a husband 
and father he was kind, gentle, and loving; as a son very de- 
voted to his "mamma," who lived with him many years before 
his death. He left a wife and five children, a mother, brothers, 
and sisters, and many relatives and friends to mourn, but not 
as those who have no hope. For we believe that he has gone 
to the "rest that remaineth to the people of God." 

Roland R. Turnage was born in Duplin county, N. C, 
August 1, 1831. His parents, Jesse and Martha Turnage lived 
on a farm where by hard toil and economy they made a living 
for their family. His father died when he was a mere infant, 
and his mother witlfthe help of the older children managed to 
provide for them the necessaries of life. When he reached 
the age of usefulness the necessity was upon him and he joined 
his older brothers on the farm, upon which he made a regular 
hand until he had a large family of his own. So his educa- 
tional advantages were very meager, being limited to not more 
than one and a half years in all. during his childhood. His 
parents were religious people, and trained their children to re- 
spect religion. They belonged t«> what was then known as the 
New Light church. His mother, with the family, moved to 
Mississippi in the year 1845, and landed in the lower edge of 
Marion county, December 27. During 1846 he was hired to 
a cousin who was a Methodist preacher and while with him he 
proposed to give him a finished education on condition that lie 
would be a Methodist preacher. This was the only oppor- 
tunity he ever had of an education. He could not accept his 
proposition for two reasons; first, he could not be a Methodist 
preacher; and. second, his mother could not spare him from 
the farm. At the close of the year 1846 the family located 
permanently on Ten Mile Creek in the western part of Marion 
county, where most of the family have lived since that time. 
About this time he became interested in reading the New 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 677 

Testament, and from reading he received serious impressions 
as to his sinful condition, which were tending toward convic- 
tion more and more. In 1848 he attended a meeting of Pearl 
River Association, and heard a sermon by Mr. Wall which 
deepened the impressions on his mind and heart, and his con- 
viction became so strong that he became distressed about his 
condition, so much so that the home folks noticed that some- 
thing was the matter and wondered what had gone wrong. In 
August, 1849, he made a complete surrender, publicly con- 
fessed Christ, and was baptized into Antioch church, by Rev. 
Henry Simmons, then pastor. From his earliest religious im- 
pressions he had the impression to preach. Of course, he did 
not know what it was and did not understand it to be a real 
impression to preach for many years. After he was baptized 
and formally united with the church the impression to preach 
grew stronger. He was dissatisfied and unhappy but could 
not for a moment entertain the idea that he could ever be a 
preacher, notwithstanding he felt that he would like to be one. 
In this state of feeling he lived an inactive Christian life for 
eighteen years. During these eighteen years he resisted the 
impression to preach and his surroundings all the while were 
such as to discourage the idea of preaching. Yet the impres- 
sion staid with him, except occasionally he could throw it 
off for a time. In 1868 he began, with Mr. Hosea Davis, to 
carry on a Sunday-school in the community, and after he had 
been working in the school for some time as a teacher, Mr. 
Davis desiring to be absent from one of their meetings, asked 
him to superintend the school, which after some hesitation he 
agreed to do. Thus he began to exercise in public service, 
and was frequently called on to open Sunday-school, and after 
a time he was occasionally called on to open service, for the 
pastor by reading and praying, and sometimes commenting on 
some passage. After a year or two the brethren insisted that 
he ought to preach and the church granted him license to do 
so. He was immediately called on to supply two churches, 
and had regular appointments at New Hope school house. 
In about a year from the time he began preaching at New 
Hope school house the people decided to organize a church, 
and that being done, the new church called him as pastor, and 
requested Antioch church to ordain him to the full work 



678 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

of the ministry. This done he entered the pastorate and has 
since that time been pastor of New Hope. His field of labor 
has not extended beyond the borders of three counties, viz.: 
Marion, Lawrence and Pike. The great bug-bear of his life, 
he says has been his illiteracy. It was the principal cause of 
his long resistance of the Spirit when he moved him to the 
ministry. After he began preaching he began with new en- 
ergy to study the Bible. He plowed during the day and 
studied his Bible at night. He has struggled through many 
difficulties and preached "the Word," to the best of his ability 
for more than twenty years. Just now he is unable to preach, 
but if the Lord gives him back his health he says; "I will serve 
him in my humble way through other years until he shall say 
'it is enough.' " 

Martin G. Turner was born in Wilcox county, Alabama, 
November 1, 1S38. His parents, Martin L. and Harriet 
Turner, moved to Kemper county, Miss., about the year 1841; 
thence to Lauderdale county, remaining till 1852; thence to 
Newton county where they lived during the year 1853. This 
year of our Lord, 1853, became the first and most precious of 
all the past fifteen years of his childhood and youth, because it 
was the year in which the gospel of Christ was made the power 
of God unto his salvation by the preaching of it by Rev. E. L. 
Carter at Mount Vernon Baptist church, Newton county. He 
heard, repented, believed and made confession before the 
church, and was received and baptized in the mill creek near 
by. For this salvation he has desired to praise and glorify 
God for having so loved him as to provide for him a Savior, 
even Jesus by whose precious blood the forgiveness of all his 
sins was obtained. In the beginning of the year 1854 his 
father moved to Jasper county, Miss., eight miles west of 
Paulding, the county seat of the county. On May 28, 1861, 
he left his parents, four brothers and three sweet sisters all of 
whom were living together, having three brothers and one 
sister of full age, and living elsewhere in the State, and enlisted 
in the service of his country in a cause he believed to be just. 
For four long years he served in the army of Northern Vir- 
ginia under the command of the immortal Robert E. Lee, 
"Stonewall" Tackson, A. P. Hill, Richard Anderson, Carnot 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 679 

Posey, Brigadier-General Nat Harris commanding at Peters- 
burg, Va. In Fort Gregg on April 2, 1865, overpowered, he 
surrendered, accepting as best he could, amid the groans of the 
dying and the dead around him just such treatment as the 
victors should bestow upon the overpowered. The Lord pre- 
served him through many fierce battles. He was wounded in 
his first engagement, June 8, 1862, in the Shenandoah Valley, 
at Cross Keys, under General T. J. ("Stonewall") Jackson. He 
participated in the following battles afterwards, Fredericks- 
burg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Winchester, battles of the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, and several engage- 
ments of minor importance, but trying to men's souls and 
bodies. Again he exclaims; ''Bless the Lord, O my soul, and 
forget not all his benefits." At the last battle in which he was 
present (Fort Gregg, near Petersburg) and where he was 
captured, he was taken to City Point, from thence to Point 
Lookout, Md., and remained there from April 6 till June 21, 
1865. He was then released, after first taking and subscribing 
to "the oath of allegiance," and reached home and some of 
the loved ones July 6, 1865. How changed! Glad, but, oh, 
how sad! The father, mother and three sisters still lived but 
three strong brothers had fallen by disease in the service of 
their country; Allen H. Turner, Company F, Sixteenth Mis- 
sissippi Regiment, at Orange Court house, Va., October 21, 
1861; William H. Turner, of same company, at Fredericks- 
burg, Va., December, 1862; Samuel O. Turner at Enterprise, 
Miss. He was allowed to bring the remains of his brother 
Allen H. Turner to the cemetery of Antioch church, Jasper 
county, Miss., for burial. William H. Turner was by him and 
his comrades buried in a family grave-yard near a brick church 
in the vicinity of Fredericksburg; and Samuel O. Turner sleeps 
in the soldiers' grave-yard at Enterprise, Miss. 

In August, 1864, he obtained a forty-five days' sick fur- 
lough while in the Richmond hospital and returned home. 
While at home he was happily married to Miss Susan M. 
Thompson, of Jasper county, Miss., September 15, 1864. 
Hence on his return home from prison, in addition to those 
waiting and watching for him at the dear old homestead, eight 
miles away stood, lingering, hoping, praying and expecting 
him, his dear, dear wife. The cruel war over, with thankful- 



680 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ness for his safe return home, he was not regretful for the hard 
service rendered, having done his duty in what he believed a 
just cause. In his hired home, with his wife ever near, in 
happiness, he was some time later made a father, by the advent 
of his first-born, Robert Lee Turner. With the flight of years 
their came to his home, Martin Frazier, William Allen, Leona 
Charity, Harriet Alice, Eugene Lamar, Susan Minnie, and Ida 
Lou, like olive plants around the table, all of whom remain 
except "sweet Ida Lou 1 ' who awaits the home-coming on the 
other shore, being two and a half years old when God took 
her. During the war he was not only impressed with the 
necessity of continually trusting God, but also of living such 
a common and Christian soldier life as to influence his com- 
rades in arms to love and serve the Lord. He was impressed 
to take part in the soldiers' prayer-meetings and talks, desiring 
to persuade all to seek the Lord, obtain peace with God, so that 
if slain in the battle or stricken down by disease and death all 
might be prepared to meet God in peace. Soon after his re- 
turn home, where he greatly enjoyed his church privileges, 
his church liberated him to exercise in the public services of 
God. For several years he labored as a licentiate in his church 
and in sister churches and the Lord blessed his efforts and gave 
him great peace of soul. During the annual meeting with his 
church, Antioch, Jasper county, in September, 1ST4, he was 
set apart in ordination by a presbytery composed of Revs. 
James S. Terrall, James A. Hitt and A. J. Smith, to the full 
work of the gospel ministry, by the laying on of hands and 
prayer. The visible result of this very gracious meeting was 
thirty-eight for baptism, and three by letter, twenty of whom 
were baptized by him immediately after his ordination. Since 
his ordination he has endeavored to serve churches and preach 
the gospel of the blessed Redeemer as well as he could, and the 
Lord has blessed his labors in all places wherever he has 
preached, giving his soul and conscience sweet peace, enabling 
him to endure trials and burdens and cares and weighty respon- 
sibilities until this good day. He says; "God be praised for 
his grace and the ministrations of his Word, the communion 
of his Spirit and all his divine goodness, by which many, many 
precious souls have been enabled to trust in the Lord to be 
saved from their sins and edified and comforted in the con- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 68 1 

solations of the Holy Spirit. I am now fifty-five years old, 
still (1 894) serving churches, still loving the precious truth that 
set me free, possessing blessed assurances day by day tnat if 
this tabernacle were dissolved I have a building of God, a 
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. The Holy 
Spirit comfort, direct and save all who may read these lines." 

Peter Turner. Intelligience has just reached me of the 
death of this aged servant of God. He died at his home at 
Rancho, Texas, on the 6th day of February, 1892. Few men 
preached the gospel longer or more faithfully than did Peter 
Turner. He was nearly eighty years old, and had been a 
preacher fifty years or more. He was an Englishman by 
birth, but had been in this country quite a long time. He 
preached in New York, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana and 
Texas, and possibly in other States. Brother Turner was once 
moderator of the Mississippi River Association. He was also 
pastor of many churches at different times and baptized, per- 
haps, thousands of people. The writer will ever remember 
his last visit to this father in Israel at Centerville, Miss., not 
quite three years ago. Perhaps a more extended notice of his 
life and work will be given. — T. C. Schilling. 

Walter Edwin Tynes was born in Marion county, Mis- 
sissippi, July 13, 1848, the son of Tyra Jennings Tynes and 
Jane Alford Tynes, who' were children of and grand-children 
of the earliest settlers in South Mississippi and East Louisiana. 
When the subject of this sketch was five years old, his parents 
moved from the Pearl River to a farm on Silver Creek about 
ten miles east of the town of Osyka, in Pike county, then the 
terminus of the New Orleans and Jackson Railway (now Illi- 
nois Central Railway) where he grew to manhood. He was 
educated in the common country schools, and in the Osyka 
Academy, then under a distinugished teacher, Prof. Chas. Ban- 
croft, whose name it bore as long as he lived, "Bancroft's 
School." In 1868 he studied law, under Hon. John T. Lam- 
kin, a distinguished lawyer, and ex-member of Congress, in 
Holmesville, then county seat of Pike county, and was initiated 
into the profession by special courtesy before attaining his 
majority. During the time he was studying law, he felt the 



682 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

conviction of a call to the ministry of the Word, which had 
been only an occasional impression before. It is but due to 
say that this impression had been from childhood the result of 
home and parental influence, and that the conviction came 
from God through the example of a Methodist minister, Rev. 
W. B. Lewis, the son of the pious old people, "Uncle Quinnea 
and Aunt Patty," with whom he was boarding at the time. 
Against this conviction he struggled for three years while try- 
ing to be satisfied in the practice of law. In 1809 he began 
practicing law in Osyka, Miss., which he continued up to the 
time of entering the ministry. His practice was mainly in the 
commercial lines. He had a reputation for compromising a 
number of cases, and refusing to take some others which he 
considered desperate and which other lawyers took and lost. 
Of course he was not growing rich in this kind of practice. 
During this time he was active in getting a church organ- 
ized in the town. 

In 1871 he was married to Miss Frances Mary Tate, 
daughter of Hon. T. E. Tate, near Osyka, and after building a 
little home in the town, was licensed to preach September 24, 
1871, by the church which he had been chiefly instrumental 
in organizing, under the monthly ministrations of Rev. Elias 
George, then of Amite City, La. He preached regularly for 
the church from this time on. Called to the pastorate, he was 
duly recognized as an ordained minister March 8, 1872, and 
devoted himself exclusively to the ministry from that time, 
having declined to take any more business in law from the 
time of his being licensed to preach, five months before. He was 
pastor at Osyka in 1872 and 1873, supplying the pulpit at 
Greensburg, La., also, once a month the latter year. In the 
years 1874 and 1875 he lived for a few months at Jackson, 
La., while supplying that church, but most of the time in Baton 
Rouge parish, preaching at Plain's Store, Port Hudson, Baton 
Rouge and two other places in the country. He organized 
the churches at Baton Rouge, Plain's Store, Galilee on the 
Conute River, and established the missions out of which have 
grown the Port Hudson church and one other on Mrs. 
Brown's plantation near the present town of Slaughter. In 
1876 he labored as evangelist in Eastern Louisiana for the 
Mission Board of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 683 

In 1877 and 1878 he was pastor at Summit, Mississippi. 
The church was strengthened in membership, attendance and 
mission spirit. The State Baptist convention met with the 
church in July of 1878. During the years 1879 till 1882 he 
was pastor at Canton, Miss. While here his wife died May 
2, 1881. She left three little girls, Carrie Lee, Jennie Marie, 
and Nannie Lou, the youngest less than a year old. This 
heavy blow unsettled him so much, that after a year he resigned 
the pastorate. He spent the season of 1881 with Prof. W. 
R. Harper, in his first summer school of Hebrew in Chicago. 
In 1882 he resigned the pastorate of the church in Canton and 
spent nearly two years in the Southern Baptist Theological 
Seminary, at Louisville, Ky., and the summer schools at Chau- 
tauqua, N. Y. In 1884 he was called to the pastorate of the 
church at Colorado City, Tex., a rising frontier town, and left 
the seminary for that field, but finding himself wholly un- 
adapted to frontier ministerial life, on account of his studious 
habits, he resigned after a few months, and took the pastorate 
of the First Baptist church in Fort Worth, August, 1884, then 
torn into bitter factions by a most unfortunate quarrel. Here 
he remained a little more than a year, during which the two 
opposing factions were reconciled and the membership of the 
church doubled in numbers. To do> this he saw from the 
beginning the necessity of sacrificing himself. He told his 
most intimate friends, he could save the church at his own 
sacrifice, or he could divide the church and remain as pastor 
of one faction. Within one year all the members were on 
friendly terms and willing to work together again, but in doing 
this he incurred the displeasure of certain partisans, as he 
had foreseen, and as the church was not prepared to go 
through with another disciplinary ordeal, he chose to be the 
scapegoat and resigned. From 1886 to 1892 he served as 
pastor at Denison, Tex. Here a heavy church debt was paid, 
the church built up from a mission to one of the most liberal 
contributors to all denominational work, the membership in- 
creased from about seventy-five to more than three hundred, 
the best prayer meeting in the State, and the best pastorium to 
be found in any town the size of Denison. On January 8, 
1890, he was married to Miss Marie E. Nelson, daughter of 
Dr. Jas. M. Nelson, of Chappell Hill, Tex. On January 1, 



684 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

1892, he took charge of the State mission work at the new- 
town of Yelasco, and during the year built the house of wor- 
ship at that place. When the tide of fortune turned against 
the town, the people left, and the mission board suspended 
further appropriations, he was obliged to give up the work. 
In 1803 he divided his time between the church at Caldwell, 
Tex., and the Sunday-school normal work, which wa3 a new 
feature in the Sunday-school work in Texas introduced by 
him through the Sunday-school Convention the year before. 
During the year the first Sunday-school Normal Assembly 
ever held by the Baptists of the State, was held at Dallas in 
his charge in June, immediately preceding the Sunday-school 
Convention. At Caldwell, the church debt of one thousand 
dollars was paid and the church raised to the level of taking 
a pastor's full time on a salary of twelve hundred dollars. At 
this writing (1894) he is devoting his time to Sunday-school 
normal work under appointment of the Executive Board of 
the Sunday-school Convention. 

Of his last marriage there have been born two children, 
viz.: Tyra J. Nelson Tynes, born July 23, 1891, and Edurna 
Estelle Tynes, born October 26, 1893. During the yean, 1892, 
L893 and 1S!>4, while he was unsettled and traveling much of 
his time, his family lived in Washington county, most of the 
time in Brenham. 

W. H. Varnado, a regular missionary Baptist preacher 
was very active in the ministry forty-five years of his life. 
During the last eight years of his life he was not so active, by 
reason of the infirmities of age, still he would preach and 
talk about the Bible as opportunity presented itself. He was 
loved and respected by all true Baptists. When he died his 
church had his biography prepared, and recommended the 
association to erect a monument at his grave, which was unan- 
imously adopted by the Hobolochitto Association in October, 

1893. He was born in South Carolina March 5, 1804; he died 
in Hancock county. Miss., July 28, 1893, and was buried by 
the side of his first wife, a large concourse of brethren and 
friends attending his burial. On the third Sunday in Septem- 
ber, by urgent request his funeral was preached by the writer, 
to a large audience. His parents, with William at the age of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 685 

five years, moved to Pike county, Miss., in 1809, on pack 
horses, the lad destined to be one of the pioneer Baptist 
preachers of South Mississippi. Here he grew to manhood; 
here he married his first wife, with whom he lived until all 
their children were grown, when the mother died. Some time 
later he was married to a lady of mature years and no children 
crowned the last marriage. At the age of thirty he professed 
religion and joined Mount Olive Baptist church, Pike county, 
Miss. Very soon after he had impressions of duty to preach 
the gospel, and went into this work with the determination, 
by God's help, to stick to it as long as he lived. With tears 
in his large blue eyes, and streaming down his cheeks, he 
would often say to the writer: "Brother Slaydon, I was 
almost ready to give up when the Lord gave you to me to 
help me fight for Jesus and his Word; then I remembered 
God's promise and took fresh courage." He would preach 
with great earnestness and vim, uncompromising in anything 
that would in the least injure the cause of truth. On the day 
of the writer's baptism, he remarked, " We are now securing 
strength sufficient to fearlessly pounce upon any rotten doc- 
trine which comes along." He has often preached three 
hours at one time, and held the attention of his audience to 
the last word, who apparently desired to hear more from him. 
As preachers began to grow up — in the writer's early days 
the churches were very scarce — he would have them all attend 
the annual meetings in every church. In 1849 there were 
only three Baptist churches in all that section and Mr. Var- 
nado was the instrument in God's hands in building them up. 
By order of Mount Olive Baptist church, Pike county, he was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry August 8, 1840, 
Revs. Jesse Crawford and William Y. Sanford, with Deacon 
William Smimons, acting as presbytery. From his ordination 
until his death was fifty-three years, less twenty days. He 
however exercised in public some time before receiving a 
formal license, and after being licensed preached a year or 
more, so that in all he was a preacher for sixty years — two 
generations. He is the father and grandfather of a large per 
cent of the Baptists of the Hobolochitto Baptist Association, 
numbering about twelve hundred members, besides of a large 
per cent of other associations west. One grand trait was his 



686 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

constant and firm adherence to Bible principles. Nothing 
could move him from the faith once for all delivered to the 
saints. He took the Old Testament teachings as a past type, 
we may say of the New Testament gospel, and every word 
said, or act performed, by our Savior was essential in its 
place and could not rightfully be overlooked or ignored by 
the true and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. The writer 
once went to a meeting with him at his own church of six 
days' duration. At the beginning of the meeting there were 
three Methodists to every two Baptists: at its conclusion there 
was only one Methodist left, and that was their preacher. It 
was in the days of slavery. The Methodist preacher had a 
woman slave, and she even joined the Baptists: the preacher 
himself being willing for her and all his flock to become Bap- 
tists. Many, yes, many, precious revivals has the writer 
passed through with this faithful minister, whose counsel he 
now so much misses, and whose absence he so much mourns. 
But, why should we mourn? He has gone to his reward, 
where sickness, sin and sorrow is felt and feared no more. 
Brother, rest until we, the peers of angels, meet you in that 
better world above to part no more. Amen. — A. M. Slaydon. 

Ashley Vaughn lived, labored earnestly, ably and well in 
the Master's vineyard in Mississippi, and died upon her soil, 
yet it has been impossible to gather material from any known 
source to give a just view of this great and good man. He 
was one of the pioneer preachers, whose record is above and 
whose biography is laid up in the archives of heaven. He 
lived in the Natchez country and in the city of Natchez in 
1839, at the time of his death and we know not how many years 
previous. He was at the time pastor of the Natchez church. 
He was editor in 1837 of the first Baptist paper ever published 
in Mississippi, called the "Southwestern Luminary," which 
in February. 1838, was merged into the "Mobile Monitor 
and South-Western Luminary,' 1 edited by Rev. G. F. Heard, 
and published in Mobile, Ala. Beyond all question Mr. 
Vaughn was the father of the Mississippi Baptist State < '< »n - 
vention. The suggestion to originate the present body thus 
known began in the Mississippi Association which passed 
resolutions in October, 1836, looking in this direction: and 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 687 

the Bethel Association about the same time took similar 
action. On December 23, 1836, delegates from these two 
associations met at the church in Washington, Adams county, 
to organize the convention. Ashley Vaughn was one of these 
delegates. Revs. Ashley Vaughn, S. S. Lattimore and N. 
R. Granberry were the committee to frame a constitution for 
the convention, and prepared substantially its present consti- 
tution. Dr. William Carey Crane, in 1858, said of this consti- 
tution, " The document bears internal evidence that it is the 
production of the lamented Vaughn, and is, with very slight 
changes, the constitution of the present day." Mr. Vaughn 
was elected president of this formative convention, December 
23 and 24, 183G. At the "first annual meeting" of the con- 
vention at Palestine church, Hinds county, in May, 1837, Mr. 
Vaughn was present as a delegate from the Washington 
church, Adams county. At this meeting he was again elected 
president of the body, was appointed to preach the next con- 
vention sermon (though he did not do so) and prepared and 
read a most excellent and comprehensive report on foreign 
missions. At the next meeting of the convention at Hepzi- 
bah church, Lawrence county, in May, 1838, Mr. Vaughn was 
present as a delegate from the Natchez church. He was 
again president of the convention; and during the session read 
another excellent report on foreign missions. In this report 
occurs this resolution: "That we affectionately recommend 
to the churches of our denomination in this State to observe 
the first Monday evening in each month in prayer to God for 
the spread of the gospel throughout the world." 

The next session of the convention was held with the 
Middleton church, Carroll county, May, 1839. But the 
sombre mantle of death had fallen upon the honored president, 
and he met with his brethren no more. On page 6 of the 
minutes we read: "On motion, a committee, consisting of 
W. H. Taylor, A. P. Bradley and Norvell Robertson, Jr., were 
appointed to prepare an obituary of Elder Ashley Vaughn." 
That committee reported the following: "Resolved (1.) That 
in the death of Elder Ashley Vaughn, this convention has 
lost one of its ablest ministers, one of its firmest supporters, 
and one of its most valued and devoted members. (2.) That fer- 
vent gratitude is due to Almighty God for the favor conferred 



688 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

on this convention in the services of Brother Ashley Vaughn; 
and that the sympathies and pecuniary aid of the denomina- 
tion in this State are due to his bereaved and afflicted family. 
(3.) That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to his 
family by the secretary." When this action was taken, the 
following was immediately passed : " Resolved, That the 
ministers of the Baptist denomination in the State of Missis- 
sippi, be requested to take into consideration the case of the 
bereaved family of our deceased brother, Ashley Vaughn; 
and that they take up a subscription in their churches for 
their benefit." 

Henry Jackson Vanland- 
ingham was born in Tusca- 
loosa county, Alabama, April 
16, 1838. In early child- 
hood he moved with his par- 
ents to Winston county, Mis- 
sissippi, where he grew to 
manhood on the farm; attend- 
ing such short country 
schools as were taught in 
reach of him. He entered 
Mississippi College in the 
session of 1859 and 13?»0, and 
spent two years there, when 
the war between the States 
abruptly put an end to his 
collegiate course. At the 
HENRY J. VANLNDINGHA.M. close of the war he returned 
home, having spent about four years in the Fifth Regiment 
Mississippi Infantry, earning for himself the reputation of 
a true and faithful soldier. He professed religion at the age 
of sixteen years and joined the Hopewell Baptist church in 
Winston county, Miss. This church called him to ordina- 
tion in his twenty-first year. Returning from the army in 
1865, he became pastor of several country churches. During 
the next five years he served as pastor, in Winston county, 
Hopewell, Shiloh, Mount Carmel and Liberty, in Choctaw 
county, New Zion, and in Attala county, Edgefield church. 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 689 

During this time he was elected Tax Assessor of Winston 
county, and filled that office for two years, being complimented 
as the " best assessor the county ever had." He was called 
to the pastorate of the Baptist church, Macon, Miss., and served 
during 1870 ; he was again called for 1871, but declined the call, 
and moved to Mashulaville, twelve miles west of Macon, 
where he taught school two years, serving as pastor during 
the time, the Elm, Yellow Creek and Summerville churches. 
He has at different times taught school about five years in 
all. In October, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary Frances 
Hearn. In November, 1872, he was elected pasto r of the 
West Point, Miss., Baptist church, giving his whole time to 
this church for one year, when he was called by the Okolona 
church, to which during the next year he gave one-half of his 
time, and the other half to West Point. Resigning the pas- 
torate he then merchandised three years at West Point. Miss., 
his home. During these three years, however, he preached 
to country churches as pastor, and served his (Clay) county 
two years as Superintendent of Public Education. Since that 
time to date (1894) he has, except one year spent in a furni- 
ture store, given his time to the pastorate of various country 
and village churches. During this time he has served as 
pastor the following churches: Mayhew, Siloam, Salem, 
Bethel (Monroe county), Harmony, Montgomery, Mabin, and 
Mount Zion, in the Columbus Association ; Elim, in the Choc- 
taw ; Mathiston, in the Zion; Samaria, in the Kosciusko; and 
Hopewell in the Louisville. He served the Mayhew church 
fourteen years in succession, and has preached to Siloam and 
Montgomery about fourteen years each, and is still their 
pastor. He has resided in West Point twenty-two years, 
and during that time has served the Mission Board of Colum- 
bus Association ten years as secretary and treasurer. During 
these ten years he has kept the board entirely free from debt, 
and never committed a financial error. He has also been a 
member of the Convention Board of the Baptist State Conven- 
tion for two years. He is a man of fine sense and judgment, 
of varied and accurate information and a very pleasant and 
impressive speaker. 

Robert A, Venable, D. D., the present honored and able 



690 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

president of Mississippi College, is now, perhaps, about thirty- 
seven years of age. He is a native of Georgia, but was 1 eared 
in Arkansas, and saw very little of the world outside of that 
State until he came to Mississippi College early in the se\ enties 
as a student. Although he is in robust health and of fine 
physique, weighing about two hundred pounds, he says he 
is the "runt" of the family. Of his early educational ad vantages 
we have no information, but, judging from hints of his, we 
infer that they might fairly be written down at zero. When 
he came to Mississippi College he was a green, awkward 
Arkansas hoosier, but was brimful of pluck, vitality, spirits 
and energy, such traits as enter into the composition of a man. 
But it would indeed have required the eye of an artist to see 
the future man in the green country youth in his seedy and 
misfit clothing. He came unheralded and without fho sym- 
pathy and aid of his father, who was a Methodist, and was 
indignant with Robert for falling in with Baptist notions, 
and going off to a Baptist college. But he came and he stuck 
to his work like a hero, soon winning the confidence and 
respect of the faculty and entire college community by his 
genial disposition, his quickness to learn, his study, self-re- 
liance and his persistence in the face of almost insurmount- 
able obstacles. He had come to stay, and to learn, and he did 
both, forging his way to the head in all his classes, and grad- 
uating in the A. B. course with the first honors of his class 
in 1876. He not only did this but he wooed and won Miss 
Fannie Webb, the daughter of Dr. W. S. Webb, the president 
then of Mississippi College. After his marriage he lived 
some months in Noxubee county, near Brooksville, Miss., 
and taught school, preaching (though not a pastor) to Sharon 
or Deer Brook church, during the term of his school. After 
his graduation, however, and before his marriage he taught 
two terms in his adopted State, at Eldorado, Ark., winning 
for himself the confidence and esteem of his patrons, who 
offered him inducements to remain in charge of the school 
at that place. 

Closing his school in Noxubee countv, he accepted the 
pastorate of the church at Okolona, Mississippi, early in 1878, 
and remained in this important and difficult pastorate two 
years. His preaching was able and acceptable to the entire 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 691 

community, and his congregations were the largest in the 
town. He wisely and skillfully seized and managed the dis- 
cordant and rather incongruous elements in his church work, 
and left the church in a good condition at the close of his 
pastorate. Since he has been college president he has been 
invited back to Okolona to preach the sermon and partici- 
pate in the dedicatory services of their new and neat Baptist 
church edifice. Leaving Okolona at the close of a two years' 
pastorate, he became pastor early in 1880 of the church at 
Helena, Arkansas. He, however, remained there only one 
year. During his Helena pastorate, in July, 1880, the Baptist 
State Convention met with the Okolona church, and Mr. Ven- 
able, by request of the church, acted as their pastor in the 
entertainment of that body. Early in 1881 he became pastor 
of the First Baptist church in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, 
where, during a pastorate of ten years, he met with remark- 
able success, and secured a strong hold upon the hearts of his 
people and upon the city outside of his congregation. The 
eminent and distinguished Dr. J. R. Graves was a member 
of his church, and was preaching in his pulpit in the summer 
of 1884 when stricken down with paralysis. Many members 
were added to the church during his pastorate, the church 
building was greatly improved and beautified by the tearing 
away of an unsightly wooden structure in front which served 
as a temporary vestibule and placing in its stead a handsome 
brick front and vestibule at a cost of several thousand dollars. 
In the summer of 1891, when the venerable and able Dr. W. 
S. Webb had resigned the presidency of Mississippi College 
where he had served so long and so ably as its honored presi- 
dent, the Board of Trustees, after long and prayerful consider- 
ation, elected R. A. Venable, an honored son of the college to 
its presidency. In order to accept this position he must sur- 
render a pleasant pastorate with many tender ties and an 
ample and sure salary, for a position which entailed a vast 
amount of hard and untried work in a critical period of the 
history of the college, and receive a smaller and often unpaid 
salary. After mature deliberation, he accepted the position, 
not for the sake of better pay, or less work, or to have an easy 
time, but because of the possibilities and outcome of the 
work. He began his duties as president with the opening of 



692 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the session in September, 1891, visited some of the associa- 
tions to become acquainted with the Baptists of the State 
and allow them to become acquainted with him. He laid 
hold of the work with firm and steady grip, threw his energies 
into it, laid broad and liberal plans of college work and set 
himself vigorously to execute them. Already he ha* admin- 
istered the affairs of the college through three full sessions, 
aiKi is well into the fourth, and that, too, during a most difficult 
and critical period of its history, perhaps more difficult than 
any similar length of time in the past of the college, and yet 
these have been sessions of success and of real progress in 
educational work. 

Dr. Yenable is a fine scholar and an eloquent preacher, 
ranking prominently among the very best preachers of the 
Baptists in Mississippi. His preaching is instructive and argu- 
mentative but is often highly impassioned and pathetic and in 
these impassioned periods may be justly called " logic on 
fire." As a college president he takes a broad and compre- 
hensive view of the work to be accomplished by a college and 
holds that it should aim to develop and educate every part 
of the man as far as possible, the physical, the intellectual and 
the moral, and he is planning work along all these lines. 
Already there has been introduced into the college course a 
school of Bible study, which is a wise and most excellent ad- 
dition to the course of study. In connection with his college 
work he has been preaching regularly to churches on the 
railway, which are accessible, and has thus augmented his 
efficiency for good. He has greatly stimulated the growth 
of the desire for higher education in the State by visiting 
many communities, both in town and in the country, and de- 
livering exceedingly interesting and profitable lectures on 
Christian education. He has also written considerably for 
the press, mostly for the newspapers. He has, however, pub- 
lished some small works in booklet form, and quite recently 
has issued "The Baptist Layman's Book," a work of much 
value, written in the catechetical form. May his life long be 
spared to the educational work of Mississippi Baptists. 

Thomas Jefferson Walne, D. D., was born in Halifax 
county, Virginia, October 3, 1838. When only ten years of 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 693 

age he moved with his parents to Mississippi and settled with 
them near Canton, Madison county. In his youth he was 
inclined to be wild, so much so that he was known by the 
name of " Rowdy." When he was near fourteen years of ap"e 
he professed religion and was baptized into the fellowship of 
a Baptist church. Quite soon afterwards he began to feel 
convictions of duty to preach the gospel, and was soon licensed 
to preach by the Canton church. Having determined to 
preach he realized the importance of thoroughly preparing 
himself for this great work, and so entered Mississippi College 
where he received his collegiate training. Soon after the 
surrender of Vicksburg he was married to Miss Belle Tabor, 
of Brownsville, Miss. This historical fact is mentioned as 
closely associated in point of time with his marriage because 
it was an important event and because he was afterwards to 
be for so long a time the honored pastor of the Vicksburg 
church. 

Mr. Walne was licensed to preach by the Canton church 
July 24, 1858. On May 4, 1862, the church requested his 
ordination, and Revs. J. M. Lewis, J. B. Hamberlin and W. 
W. Kone were invited to ordain him, on the first Sabbath in 
June, 1862. His ordination took place at that time or soon 
after. 

His real ministerial life began after the close of the war 
in a pleasant and delightful pastorate at Raymond, Miss., 
where the young pastor began to give evidence of the talent 
and administrative ability that were to become so conspicuous 
in later years. These buddings of power soon led to his settle- 
ment in the important pastorate of the Vicksburg church, 
where he did some of the best work of his life, and where he 
was engaged for ten years. It was early in his Vicksburg 
pastorate, in the summer of 1870, that we first met Dr. Walne. 
He had just conducted a revival meeting with the Salem 
church, Oktibbeha county, and was, when we met him, 
engaged in a similar meeting with pastor Sellers, in the Stark- 
ville church. His earnest sermons drew large congregations 
and the interest steadily increased. A great ingathering 
followed as the result of the services. During these revival 
services Dr. Walne was visited by a gentleman some forty 
years of age, who had once been an earnest and consecrated 



694 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Christian, praying in public and feeling impressions to preach 
and having actually preached to the negroes, but who during 
the four years of war, a part of the time a prisoner, had 
wandered far off into vice and sin and had concluded that he 
had "fallen from grace." With his bright ante-belluui exper- 
ience, compared with his wayward life and present condition 
in mind, he came to discuss the question of apostasy. The 
preacher, quickly taking in the situation, said : " You say 
you are far out of the path of duty now. Well the thing for 
you to do is to get back fully in the line of duty. You will 
then be in a better position and a better trim to discuss Scrip- 
ture doctrine. I cannot consent to argue with you as to 
whether a man can fall from grace or not until you get back 
on the track of duty." Since that revival season we nave 
been more or less familiar with the work of this man of God 
in Mississippi. One object in view in his going from place 
to place in the State during his Yicksburg pastorate was to 
gather funds for the building of a house of worship in that city. 
In this he was eminently successful, receiving everywhere 
handsome sums for this purpose. 

In 1874 the Baptist State Convention, in the city of Ox- 
ford, determined to do something in the direction of giving 
the gospel to the destitute sections of the State of Mississippi. 
To this end the State Mission Board was organized, located 
in Oxford, and T. J. Walne was elected its corresponding 
secretary. In this work he entered with all the energy of Ins 
nature, and beginning almost at the bottom he organized the 
work, traveled all over the State, collected thousands of 
dollars from churches and at associational meetings, and with 
the board to advise and co-operate he constantly increased 
the number of missionaries and spread the gospel in many 
places where it had not been and strengthened many weak 
places which already had the gospel. During the term of 
his secretaryship he also did much work as a general evan- 
gelist, conducting revival meetings in which large numbers 
were gathered into the churches and accomplishing much 
good in other ways. In this work he continued nine years 
when the wear and tear on his health from continued travel, 
excessive preaching, and loss of sleep, seriously impa'.red his 
health and compelled him to resign his position. The success 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 695 

and enlargement of this work under the efficient management 
of Corresponding Secretary T. J. Walne, and the blessing 
of God have been most gratifying. The following is a brief 
summary of what was done in nine years in this held under 
his leadership, taken from his report to the State Convention 
at Crystal Springs, in July, 1883, when he virtually retired 
from this field of service: "Number of missionaries one 
hundred and seventy-six, days of actual service twenty-two 
thousand two hundred and seven, number of miles traveled 
two hundred sixty-four thousand two hundred and nine, num- 
ber of sermons preached thirteen thousand eight hundred and 
forty-one, church prayer meetings attended four thousand 
one hundred and ninety-five, families visited for religious 
purposes twenty-five thousand and twenty-five, persons bap- 
tized two thousand three hundred and one, received by letter 
one thousand three hundred and eighty, restored to church 
fellowship one hundred and sixty-four, churches organized 
thirty, Sunday-schools organized seventy-three, Sunday-school 
addresses delivered one thousand seven hundred and sixty- 
one, pages of tracts distributed one hundred ninety-eight 
thousand two hundred and forty-two, subscribers obtained 
,for " Record" one thousand and seventy-three, houses of wor- 
ship built ten, houses of worship repaired eighteen. The 
board has received from the churches fifty-five thousand and 
fifteen dollars and eighty-two cents. Fully thirty thousand 
dollars has been raised by our missionaries for building and 
repairing houses of worship and parsonages. All of fifty 
thousand dollars has been raised upon the various fields occu- 
pied by missionaries and expended in meeting current 
expenses and for other religious purposes, and not included 
in the first items, so that fully one hundred thirty-five thousand 
and fifteen dollars and eighty-two cents have been raised, 
either directly or indirectly, by the board and its missionaries. 
The ever widening field, and ever increasing demands call 
for enlarged plans and generous liberality. The inviting 
prospects coupled with the fearful destitution in the Missis- 
sippi bottoms, and in the city of New Orleans, urge us to our 
best endeavors." 

After giving up the secretaryship Dr. Walne could do 
very little for several years except give himself to rest and 



696 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

recuperation. He had fanning interests, fine cows, and other 
things which occupied his time, but during his enforced rest 
he put in many good strokes for the various enterprises of 
his beloved people. This was notably the case while Dr. 
Gambrell was engaged in raising the college endowment. 
He traveled and spoke much during this effort in behalf of 
his alma mater. In 1802 he turned his face westward, leaving 
his beloved Mississippi, where he had put forth the best efforts 
of his strong manhood, and locating in the Lone Star State, 
which has inveigled so many strong Mississipians within 
her borders. Spending one year at Belton, in the service of 
Baylor Female College, early in 1894 he became pastor of 
the church at Corsicana, Texas. Here he is now, in 1894, 
renewing his strength and youth and wielding a fine influence 
and power in the Master's cause. 

Ernest Nathan Walne, son of Dr. T. J. Walne, was born 
at Brownsville, Hinds county, Mississippi, January 20, 1867. 
He received his collegiate education in Mississippi College, 
where he spent several sessions, and pursued his studies with 
satisfaction and honor, taking the degree of B. L. Finishing 
his collegiate studies he entered the Southern Baptist Theolog- 
ical Seminary, Louisville, Ivy., in the fall of 1888, and spent one 
session there in Biblical studies, graduating in June, 1889, in 
the English school of Old Testament interpretation. He was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry in Greenville, Miss., 
June 17, 1888. He was pastor at Leland, Miss., from January 
until October, 1888. During his Seminary course, rather, 
immediately succeeding it, he was pastor at Buck Run church, 
Franklin county, Ky., from June, 1889, for a time. Resigning 
at Buck Run he became pastor at Ghent, Ky., where he was 
at the time of his appointment as missionary to Japan. The 
following extract from the "Foreign Mission Journal" men- 
tions his appointment: 

"At the April, 1892, meeting of the Board Rev. E. N. 
Walne, now pastor at Ghent, Ky., was accepted as a missionary, 
and assigned to the Japan mission. Brother Walne is the son 
of Rev. Dr. T. J. Walne, of Mississippi, is a graduate of Mis- 
sissippi College and of the Seminary, and has been a successful 
pastor at Ghent, Ky. He is in every way qualified for the work 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



697 

and goes to a most promising field. They say that Brother 
Walne will not go alone." On May 31, 1892, he was married 
to Miss Claudia McCann. He and his bride sailed on the 
"Empress of China," from Vancouver, September 18, 1892, 
for their field of labor in Japan. They "will join Mr. J. W. 
McCollum in Kokura, and will bring cheer to the workers 
there, who have been made sad by the departure of Mr. Brun- 
son," ("Foreign Mission Journal, November, 1892"). Since 
their arrival in Japan Mr. Walne has been prosecuting the work 
with commendable 1 spirit and energy, judging from his con- 
secrated and enthusiastic letters, and has been having as good 
success as new beginners in a new and strange and foreign 
field could reasonably expect. 

Asa Carrell Wat= 
kins, "son of Newton 
Marion and Edith Va- 
nilla Carrell Watkins, 
the fifth son of a fam- 
ily of nine children, 
three girls and six 
boys, was born March 
29, 1857, in Calhoun 
county, Alabama. 

About the time of the 
close of the civil war 
the family removed 
from Alabama to Mis- 
sissippi and settled 
first in Leake county. 
In September, 1870, I 
joined the Baptist 
church at Conway, 
Leake county, Missis- 
sippi, after which time 
my father made a ser- 
ies of moves and I 
held membership in 
various churches as follows: In Springfield church (near 
Morton, Miss.), from 1871 till 1876, in New Prospect church 
(near Pelahatchie, Miss.), in 1876 and 1877, in Liberty church 




REV. A. C. WATKINS. 



698 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

(near Jackson, Miss.), from 1877 till 1882, in First Baptist 
church, Jackson, Miss., from 1882 till 1887, First Baptist 
church, Mitchell, Ind., from 1887 till we left the United States 
for Mexico. My father is a farmer. I remained on the farm 
until twenty-two years of age, when I determined to educate 
myself. I first spent two years studying and teaching in the 
country. September 28, 1887, 1 entered Mississippi College; 
after four months' study, on account of severe sickness, my 
physician advised me not to re-enter school. My plans thus 
being frustrated, I determined to change them, a strange provi- 
dence which has been of service, and accordingly secured a 
position in a drug store in Jackson, and began the study of 
pharmacy and medicine. I regained my health and soon 
began to think of the plan of life which I had abandoned. I 
resigned my position, and very soon my pastor, Brother H. F. 
Sproles, came to me and asked me plainly about my impres- 
sions to preach the gospel. I frankly told him all. I again 
entered college September, 1882. I was blessed with health 
and found a friend in the lamented Dr. B. H. Whitefield, who 
took me into his drug store, where I earned my own way in 
college by working from three to four hours a day. I re- 
mained with the doctor until just a few months before gradua- 
ting. All my vacations, except one were spent in teaching. I 
graduated June 22, 1886, with the degree of A. B. I supplied 
New Prospect church (see above) a part of my last year in Col- 
lege. I was ordained in the Baptist church, Jackson, Miss., 
May 2, 1886. Presbytery: W. S. Webb, D. D., Clinton, Miss.; 
Revs. J. B. Gambrell and L. S. Foster, then editors of the 'Bap- 
tist Record,' and my pastor, H. F. Sproles. I supplied Fel- 
lowship and Rodney churches (in Jefferson county, Miss.), 
and Sim's Chapel church, Claiborn county, after leaving col- 
lege until I entered the Seminary. I entered the Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminars' October 1, 1886, my first year 
being given to study and Sunday-school mission work. I 
supplied Booneville, Indiana, during my vacation in the sum- 
mer of 1887. October 1, 1887, I re-entered the Seminary and 
also accepted a call to supply the First Baptist church of Mit- 
chell, Indiana, full time. This forced me to leave off one study 
in the Seminar}'. I finished the 'English course,' except 
'Church History.' During my eight months' work at Mitchell 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 699 

twenty-five were received into the church. In April, 1888, this 
church extended a call to me to settle with them. This was 
accepted, but soon resigned with a view of going to the For- 
eign Field. June 4, 1888, I went before the Board, in Rich- 
mond, Va., was accepted as a missionary, but my field was not 
assigned. The Board wanted me to go to Africa. I was mar- 
ried to Miss Ava, daughter of Dr. G. W. Benton, of Mitchell, 
Indiana, June 20, 1888. We spent the summer in Mississippi. 
We declined the proffered appointment to Africa, on the advice 
of wife's oculist. We accepted the pastorate of the church at 
Canton, Mississippi. In November the Board assigned us to 
Musquiz, Mexico. We accepted and accordingly closed our 
work in Canton, the fourth Sunday in December, 1888, and 
started for Mexico, January 2, 1889; crossed the Rio Grande 
and took supper in Mexico, on the eve of January 4th, and ar- 
rived at Musquiz on the 5th, not being able to speak a word 
of Spanish. After five months' study I conducted my first 
service in the language. Wife wrote her first letter in the 
language after one month's study." During the five years 
since Mr. Watkins wrote as above he and his wife have been 
laboring faithfully upon their foreign field of Mexico. 
Though so far from us, we still claim him as one of our minis- 
try. 

William David Watkins was born in Winston county, 
Miss., September 18, 1856. During the twenty-second year 
of his life he had strong convictions that he was a sinner and 
needed the mercy of a Savior. After solemn and earnest 
prayer to God, to remove the load of sin from him he saw the 
beauty of holiness as never before and found deliverance in be- 
lieving. August 18, 1880, he united with a missionary Baptist 
church. The following February he was impressed with the 
duty of working in the vineyard of the Lord as a minister of 
the gospel, but because of his having a very limited education 
and because of financial restrictions he refrained from speaking 
of his- impressions and hid them in his heart for a time. In 
the year 1884 he was solicited to accept license to preach bv 
Mr. A. L. Robinson from Enon church, the only church of 
which he has ever been a member. He appreciated aud de- 
ferred to this confidence of his church and made his first at- 



7O0 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS 

tempt to preach at Enon church on April 13, 1884, from 
Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of 
God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." After the 
lapse of about one year he met Mr. J. H. Cornwell, a member 
of Shiloh church, Winston county, who invited him to visit 
Shiloh church and preach for them. They had no pastor at 
the time, and after about three months' they invited him to 
their pastorate. Enon church was requested to arrange for his 
ordination which was promptly done and he was solemnly or- 
dained to the full work of the ministry the second Sabbath in 
May, 1885. Other churches engaged his services and he gave 
his time punctually and promptly to the work. God blessed 
his labors; but after four years of pastoral work, he became 
anxious to be better educated. Accordingly he withdrew from 
all his pastoral engagements, preaching, however, promiscu- 
ously as opportunity presented, and enlarged his secular pur- 
suits, hoping thereby to so increase his revenues as to sustain 
his family well and enable him to pursue his studies. But he 
found this all unsatisfactory and disappointing, and after three 
years returned again to pastoral work. In this he is now 
(1894) having success through the mercy and goodness of God 
and lives happy in the work. 

W. R. Ward was once in the Louisville Association. Of 
him Rev. W. H. H. Fancher, in 1884, wrote: "I have known 
W. R. Ward since I was quite young. When I was quite small 
he became a member of Bear Creek church and was then a 
preacher. I do not know at what age he began to preach, nor 
by what church he was set apart to the ministry. Being my 
father-in-law I have conversed with him often on the subject 
of religion. He told me that he professed faith in Christ at 
the age of sixteen. He is now living in Arkansas, or was the 
last time I heard from him." 

James Agnew Ware was a good and useful minister, who 
labored in Pontotoc county, in the Aberdeen Association, for 
a time. He was a relative and associate of Rev. A. J. Seale, 
of blessed memory. He organized Pleasant Grove church, 
Pontotoc county, in 1843, and was its pastor for a number of 
years. He also organized five other churches, and was an 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 701 

active zealous and energetic minister. He died April 10, 1865, 
greatly loved and honored. 

W. S. Webb, A. M., D. D., was born in LeRoy, Genesee 
county, N. Y., in 1825. He was the youngest of fourteen chil- 




REV. W. S. WEBB, D. D., LL. D. 
dren born to Benoni and Elizabeth (Philips) Webb. His 
mother died at the age of seventy-four and his father at the age 
of ninety. In their early married life, it is not known when or 



702 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

where, both united with a Baptist church. Especially, his 
mother, during her entire life, was distinguished for her sweet 
Christian spirit and for deeds of kindness and charity. After 
attending the public schools of his county till eighteen years 
of age, W. S. Webb left home to enter upon a course of study 
preparatory to college, in the Academy at Kingsville, Ohio, 
at that time in charge of the distinguished educator, Dr. Z. C. 
Graves, whose brother, the late Dr. J. R. Graves, was assistant 
teacher. Here Mr. Webb formed his first acquaintance with 
the latter, an acquaintance that ripened into a life-long friend- 
ship. Indeed his first lessons in Greek were learned from Dr. 
J. R. Graves, w r ho afterwards became the distinguished editor 
of the "Tennessee Baptist" and won world-wide fame as a de- 
fender of Baptist faith and polity. During his first term at 
Kingsville Academy, Mr. Webb was converted, and on the 
third Sabbath in May, 1843, was baptized by Rev. J. B. Sackett, 
the pastor of the Baptist church there. He immediately took 
his place among the earnest members of the church, attending 
all the meetings and taking an active part in the same, and con- 
versing with the impenitent to lead them to Christ. When he 
failed to attend a religious service or take some part, as in 
prayer or testimony, his conscience greatly troubled him. 
This might not have been the wisest training for him, but it 
was the custom of the times and seemed to keep young con- 
verts interested in Christian work. After completing his pre- 
paratory course in the Academy, Mr. Webb entered the Fresh- 
man class of wRat is now Colgate University, where he re- 
mained four years, being graduated with the degree of A. B., 
in June, 1849. Two years afterwards, he took the degree of 
A. M.j in course, in the same institution. In the fall of that 
year, through the advice and solicitation of Dr. J. R. Graves, 
he came to Tennessee to engage temporarily in teaching. For 
the next two years, he was principal of Stewart's Creek Acad- 
emy, a school near the Nashville pike, ten miles from Murfrees- 
boro. While here, he married his first wife, Miss Adelphia 
Wheeler, daughter of Hon. Jonas Wheeler, of Canandaigua, N. 
Y. The fruit of this union was Charles Wheeler Webb, now 
in business in Texarkana, Ark., and Fanny Adelphis, now the 
wife of Dr. R. A. Venable, President of Mississippi College. 
Though engaged in teaching, his Sundays, when opportunity 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 703 

offered, were given to the preaching of the gospel. On the third 
Sabbath in February, 1851, he was ordained to the full work 
of the Christian ministry at Enon church, Rutherford county, 
Tenn., of which church he was then a member and pastor elect. 
The presbytery were Dr. Joseph Eaton, President of Union 
University; Dr. SamT Baker, pastor of First Baptist church, 
Nashville; Dr. Matt Hillsman, pastor at Murfreesboro ; and 
Rev. Eugene Strode, pastor at Shelbyville. Dr. Eaton 
preached the sermon. From this time forward, Mr. Webb 
proposed to give himself entirely to the work of the ministry. 
But man proposes and God disposes. 

In the following August, without any solicitation or de- 
sire on his part, Mr. Webb was elected president of a college 
for girls at Grenada, Mississippi. While seated at his desk in 
his quiet home, near the Enon church, about to write a letter 
accepting the pastorate of the church at Franklin, Tenn., came 
the message and call from Mississippi. After canvassing the 
matter several days with his best friends and the friends of the 
cause of Christ in Nashville and Murfreesboro, he decided to 
resign his pastorate at Enon and accept the call to Mississippi. 
He reached Grenada, September 1, 1851. With the exception 
of the first twenty miles from Enon to Nashville, the entire 
journey from Tennessee to Mississippi was made in the old- 
fashioned stage-coach. He readied Grenada, worn and weary, 
on Friday morning, delivered his inaugural Saturday night, 
preached a funeral sermon on Sunday, and entered upon his 
duties as president of the college on Monday morning. He 
retained this position for six years, beginning with but thirty 
pupils and closing with one hundred and seventy-five. The 
magnificent college building in Grenada, now the property of 
the Methodists, was erected during his administration. When 
he gave up the school, it was the largest college for girls in the 
State. On June 18, 1855, he met his first great sorrow. His 
wife sickened and died very suddenly. She had been a faithful 
wife and mother, an intelligent and wise counsellor, without 
whom Mr. Webb could not have held or filled satisfactorily 
the presidential chair of the college. August 27, 1856, he mar- 
ried his second wife, Miss Mary A. McMath, a native of Carroll 
county, Miss. The fruit of this second marriage was Hattie 
R., wife of J. D. Granberry, Hazlehurst, Miss., and Mary Shcl- 



704 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

don, wife of Hon. George S. Dodds, Hazlehurst, Miss. 

At the end of six years, he left the college at Grenada in 
a prosperous condition to take charge of the High School at 
Starkville, Miss. After spending two years in successful work 
here, he removed to West Point, Miss., on the M. and 0. 13.. R. 
His purpose was to cut loose from the school-room and devote 
himself entirely to the work of the Christian ministry. He had 
never intended to spend his life in the school-room. Even 
before his conversion, he had been impressed that he was to 
be a preacher. But when he left college, he was in debt for his 
education, and thus necessity first drove him to the school- 
room. At that time there seemed no other way to make the 
money to pay this debt. In two years the debt was entirely 
paid, and again he determined to carry out his cherished pur- 
pose to give his life to preaching the gospel of Christ. It was 
wmlc making his arrangements to this end, that the call from 
Grenada, Miss., was received. Seeming to himself as well as to 
his friends to be providential, he was induced to accept, as said, 
before. His leaving Grenada and going to Starkville into the 
High School was likewise for the purpose of getting out of 
debt, — a debt contracted in the unselfish endeavor to place 
the Grenada College at the head not only of all schools in the 
State but of all schools even-where. Then w T hen he went to 
West Point he felt that he was surely free at last from the 
bondage of the school-room. Xo man ever enjoyed the 
preaching of the gospel more than he did during the years in 
which he was devoted exclusively to this glorious work. 
Some years afterwards, when he was called to go to Clinton, 
as pastor, he objected strenuously, but in vain, even to the 
slight official connection he was to have with Mississippi Col- 
lege. He longed to be only pastor and preacher, the grandest 
work in which man can engage. 

On his removal to West Point, he had charge of the West 
Point, Bethesda and Crawford churches. He remained pastor 
at West Point six years, at Bethesda nine years, and at Craw- 
ford fourteen years. Later, he served the Okolona church six 
years, the Macon church two years, and the Deerbrook or 
Sharon church six years. While at West Point the church which 
was a mile and a half in the country was moved to town and a 
neat frame-house of worship erected, — the first meeting house 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 705 

built in West Point. Here, too, he had the great misfortune 
to lose his second wife, who died September 2, 1863. She w T as 
a pious, devoted, and exemplary Christian, in every way quali- 
fied to be a sharer in joys and sorrows, the toils and sacrifices 
of a Christian minister. In the autumn of this year, Mr. Webb 
removed to Crawford, twenty miles south of West Point, on the 
M. and O. R. R. His main reason for moving was to get 
nearer the centre of his field of labor. He was now serving the 
Crawford, Bethesda, and Deerbrook or Sharon churches. 
Shortly after he became pastor at Sharon, a church was organ- 
ized at Brooksville, on the M. and O. R. R., four miles west of 
Sharon. The new organization drew most of its material from 
Sharon church. Indeed, only seventeen members remained 
with the old church. The prospects were gloomy enough. 
The plantations in that prairie region then consisted of very 
large tracts of land, and hence there were but few white people 
in the country and they were widely scattered. The pastor told 
the now enfeebled band that they should either follow their 
brethren to Brooksville or move farther east, that if they re- 
mained at Sharon and its old grave-yard they would die. They 
determined neither to go to Brooksville nor to die, but to go 
east. No one will be surprised at the decision, who knew Dr. 
Elijah Deupree and his four sons and the two sons of Daniel 
Deupree. These consisted the strength, in the main, of the 
forlorn little band. Under great difficulties but with unflinch- 
ing courage, they moved two miles eastward to a little hamlet 
called Deerbrook, and took their pastor with them. The 
church has since been known as Deerbrook. The result justi- 
fied the wisdom of the move, for in less than one year the 
number of white members was larger than it had ever been 
at the old site. During these years, Mr. Webb had taken a 
very active part in the organization and management of the 
Confederate Orphans' Home, at Lauderdale, Miss. The Mis- 
sissippi Baptist State Convention met with his church at Craw- 
ford, in the autumn of 1864, when incipient measures were 
taken to organize the Home. He was placed on the Board of 
Trustees, and at the first meeting of the Board elected corre- 
sponding secretary, and for seven or eight years, till his re- 
moval to Clinton, he conducted the vast correspondence of the 
institution and wrote its annual reports. He has always re- 



706 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

garded this work as pre-eminently Christian work and can 
never regret the toils and sacrifices he made to promote the 
success of the Home. April 26, 1865, Mr. Webb married his 
third wife, Miss Margaret J. Sherman, in Marion, Ala. She was 
the sister of Prof. D. G. Sherman, of Howard College, and was 
herself a teacher in the Judson Institute for ten years. The 
children born of this marriage are Maggie Zitella, teaching in 
Texarkana, Ark.; Warren Sherman, practising medicine in 
Memphis, Tenn.; Thomas LeRoy, in business in Memphis, 
Tenn.; Leura Myrtle, at home; Henry Deupree, teaching in 
Jackson; Nelson Gould, having just finished his course in 
Mississippi College. In all, Mr. Webb's children consist of 
five sons and five daughters; the former all full graduates of 
Mississippi College, and the latter all full graduates of Central 
Female Institute, or Hillman College. 

Near the close of tile year 1871, Mr. Webb was called to 
the pastorate of the Clinton, Brandon, and Line Creek 
churches, in Central Mississippi. He had never visited any ot 
these churches, and it is doubtful if more than one member in 
all these churches had ever heard him preach. The salary 
offered was the same that he was already receiving, but his 
labors would be greatly increased. Doubtless, he would have 
declined the call, had not Clinton possessed better facilities for 
the education of his children than Crawford, and the field of 
Christian labor seemed a more important one. Thus he was 
led to accept the call. In addition to his work as pastor, he 
was expected to lecture on theology, at last once a week, before 
the young ministers who were pursuing their literary course in 
college. He was not much pleased with this part of his work, 
did not think he was specially fitted for it, had doubts as to the 
propriety of such work in connection with the regular college 
course, and never claimed that he was eminently successful in 
it, though many friends have been pleased to express a very 
decided opinion to the contrary. He reached Clinton with his 
family during Christmas week at the close of the year 1871, and 
entered earnestly upon the most arduous and responsible duties 
ever yet devolved upon him. He lectured two nights every 
week to the young ministers, preached two Sundays, morning 
and night, at Clinton, one at Brandon, and one at Line Creek. 
At the close of his first year, he had baptized just one hundred 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 707 

converts, — fifty -at Clinton, thirty-five at Brandon, and fifteen 
at Line Creek. This work he continued till the close of the 
session 1872 and 1873, or one year and a half. At this time Dr. 
Hillman resigned the presidency of Mississippi College, and 
Dr. Webb was elected as his successor. After prayerfully con- 
sidering the matter for some weeks, he, with much fear and 
trembling, accepted the position. He was persuaded by the 
friends of the college that in his new position he could do as 
much for the cause of Christ as he could in the pastorate. He 
entered at once with zeal and enthusiasm upon his untried and 
arduous duties. He immediately resigned his pastorate at 
Line Creek but continued to serve the churches at Clinton and 
Brandon for two years longer. Finding his burdens too great 
for his strength, he at length gave up all pastoral work and 
gave himself exclusively to the college. He had learned from 
experience that absence to fill appointments had militated 
against the best work and discipline in the college, and had de- 
liberately come to the conclusion that the best interests of the 
college required his constant presence and oversight, and 
hence, he cheerfully, though with reluctance, made the sacrifice 
of giving up his regular appointments for preaching. An en- 
larged and excellent faculty was gathered and competent sal- 
aries promised. The resources of the college were limited. 
The old endowment collected before the war was entirely 
swept away, with the exception of four thousand dollars in 
I. C. R. R. bonds. A new endowment of about forty thousand 
dollars had been raised by Prof. M. T. Martin, who acted as 
agent of the Board of Trustees, the principal to be retained 
in the hands of the subscribers and the interest to be paid an- 
nually by them. The idea was that thus the endowment was 
well invested, loaned to the subscribers at ten per cent interest. 
Hence was expected an annual income of four thousand dol- 
lars from this endowment. 

During the first year of the new president, the financial 
crash of 1873 occurred, so that at the close of the session of 
1873 and 1874 less than five hundred dollars of the interest due 
had been collected. The only other resource the college had 
was the interest on the four thousand dollars R. R. bonds 
and the income from tuition-fees. These proving insufficient 
to meet the annual expenses, there was a deficit of some two 



708 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

thousand five hundred dollars at the close of the session. Af- 
ter an experience of several consecutive years with similar re- 
sults, the conclusion was reached that the endowment raised 
by Prof. Martin was unreliable and that, too, notwithstanding 
the acknowledged fact that the subscribers were among the 
best men in the State, financially and otherwise. The plan 
was defective. The subscribers soon became aware of the fact 
that after paying interest on a note for five, ten, or twenty 
years, they would still owe the college the full amount of the 
original note. Besides, times grew harder instead of better; 
it was the time of the gradual contraction of the national cur- 
rency; all business was conducted on a falling market; it was 
impossible for the best men, in many instances to pay their 
ordinary debts. It is not surprising, therefore, that the in- 
terest on these voluntary or gift notes should for the most part 
remain unpaid year after year. During no single vear, per- 
haps, did the amount of interest paid reach one thousand dol- 
lars. Only the sum of about five thousand dollars of the prin- 
cipal has ever been collected. At the end of four years, there- 
fore, the Trustees of the college found themselves nearly ten 
thousand dollars in debt to the president and professors. Pro- 
portionately, the larger part of this debt was due the president, 
fior in distributing the income of the college he had paid the 
professors a larger part of their salaries than he had retained 
of his own, for otherwise the professors would not have re- 
mained with the college. Even by this sacrifice on the part of 
the president, all the professors were not retained. Some of the 
best were easily persuaded to accept more lucrative positions 
elsewhere. The large part of the debt due the professors has 
been paid; but the college still owes Dr. Webb about three 
thousand dollars. It was soon seen that the college could not 
succeed on such a financial basis. A large debt meant disaster 
and ruin to the Baptist educational interests of the State. 
What could be done to prevent this debt and consequent ruin? 
In this hour of darkness, the president proposed that one of the 
professors be dismissed, that the other professors do the work- 
that had been done by all, and that their salaries be diminished 
by twenty per cent. This would reduce expenses about fifteen 
hundred dollars. It was believed that with expenses so re- 
duced the college could be run without incurring a deficit, 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 709 

especially if the patronage could be increased. The experience 
of one year, however, on this basis did not fully justify the 
hopes that had been entertained. The hardness of the times, 
the prevalence of epidemics, the lack of educational spirit 
among the people, and the consequent failure to receive suffici- 
ent patronage, caused the year to close with another small 
deficit. The case was growing desperate. With the old en- 
dowment gone and the new one comparatively worthless, debt 
and ruin seemed inevitable. It began to look as if the Baptists 
of the State could not or would not sustain their college. 
Some of the members of the Board took the position that the 
only way out of the difficulty was to change the organization 
of the school from a college to an academy. As the bulk of 
the patronage was composed of preparatory students, such a 
change, it was thought, would not be radical; and besides, an 
academy could be maintained at much less cost than a college, 
as the heaviest expense of a college was in providing for its 
higher classes. 

In consequence of this state of things, gloom an 1 despon- 
dency seemed to take possession of the people. A Reeling of 
despair paralyzed earnest effort. What could be done amid 
such hopelessness on the part of the people! In this worse 
than Egyptian darkness, it deserves to be said, the president 
never lost hope. He would not listen to the academy-solu- 
tion of the problem. He still trusted in God and the brethren. 
A gracious Providence had clearly been with the college from 
the beginning. It came to us providentially and the people 
would be brought to sustain it in God's own time and in God's 
own way. As God had led his ancient people out of bondage 
by means of trials and tribulations, so the president believed 
He was leading His present people in His own mysterious wa\ 
to a land of freedom and of rest. Of course, what the college- 
most need.ed was a larger income or diminished expenses, or 
both. As the cash endowment was virtually a failure, the next 
best thing would be an endowment in the affections of the 
Baptists and the consequent increased number of students. 
This place in the hearts of our people, it had evidently not en- 
joyed hitherto. If it could win this love of Baptists, it would 
grow and prosper and become all that its founders and pro- 
moters hoped for it. To accomplish these ends was the bur- 



710 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

den of the president's efforts and the object of his plans for 
the next few years. With these ends in view, he made two 
propositions to the Board of Trustees. The first war. a plan 
to get rid of the scholarship subscribed before the war, as a 
form of endowment. To the younger generation of Baptists, 
a word of explanation may be in place just here. A scholar- 
ship consisted of five hundred dollars; a half scholarship of 
two hundred and fifty dollars. They were paid into the 
treasury of the college to be invested by the Board at ten per 
cent interest. Each full scholarship would thus bring to the 
college an annual income of fifty dollars, in consideration of 
which the holder of a scholarship was entitled to free tuition 
for one student each year. About eighty thousand dollars, or 
forty scholarships, had been collected and invested, or used by 
the Board, when the war began. When the war ended the 
entire eighty thousand dollars, with the exception of the four 
thousand dollars in I. C. R. R. bonds, as before stated, was 
gone; but the scholarships remained. They were permanent 
claims against the college; and being transferable, from twenty- 
five to forty students were always in attendance who paid no 
tuition. The scholarships were thus proving to be a burden to 
the college. With free tuition to these scholarship holders 
and to those studying with a view to the ministry, it is no 
wonder there was an annual deficit. But how to get rid of the 
scholarships was the important question. They could not be 
repudiated, for they were a legal claim against the college 
for so much tuition every year. The president proposed that 
an agent be sent into the field to solicit from each holder a 
voluntary surrender of his claim. It was believed there was 
interest enough in the college on the part of these scholarship- 
holders and desire enough to save the life of the college, to in- 
duce them to make the sacrifice, if properly approached. Prof. 
M. T. Martin, that master of college agents, by appointment of 
the Board of Trustees, cheerfully undertook the work. As a 
result of his wise, judicious, and persevering efforts, all but two 
of the scholarships were surrendered, and cheerfully on the 
part of their owners. No better work by any one has ever 
been done for the college than thus procuring the surrender 
of these scholarships by Prof. Martin. He deserves the last- 
ing gratitude of every Baptist in Mississippi. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 7 II 

The second proposition made by the president to the 
Board of Trustees was, as follows: He and the professors 
would take charge of the college, maintain all its classes, be 
responsible for all its expenses, provide all necessary assistant 
teachers, and do regular and full college work, receiving for 
their compensation whatever the income from all sources 
might be. Certain figures were named as contemplated sal- 
aries, on the basis of which a pro-rata distribution of the in- 
come was to be made. If the income were sufficient, all would 
receive the salaries designated; if more than sufficient, the sur- 
plus was to be paid into the college treasury, to be used as 
the wisdom of the Board would dictate; if insufficient, the in- 
come, however small, was to be divided pro rata, and no claim 
was to be made upon the Board for deficit in salary. The 
Board cheerfully acceded to this proposition; and of course 
no debt has been created since that time, except the debt of 
gratitude. It may be well for the people to know, however, 
that only three times since the adoption of this plan have the 
teachers in the college received their salaries in full. During 
the session of 1878 and 1879, the highest amount received by 
any professor was about three hundred and fifty dollars. In 
no year for the last twenty-five years has the regular income of 
the college been adequate to meet expenses and pay the sal- 
aries; the three years when the professors were paid in full, 
their salaries were made up in part by voluntary contributions 
from the churches. The plan thus approved by the Board 
has been a pronounced success. The expenses have certainly 
been kept within the income by this sacrifice on the part of the 
faculty. But more than this may be said. The professors at 
once took the field in the interest of Christian education and 
awakened a spirit of education among the people, resulting in 
a large increase of patronage. Confidence in the college was 
established, and in a few years the institution hitherto almost 
unknown outside of Hinds county became well and favorably 
known throughout the entire State. The foundations were 
thus laid deep and strong in the hearts of the people. The 
college has vindicated its right to live, and it is but the stronger 
because of the trials it has endured and the difficulties it has 
overcome. The triumphs of the past insure with God's bless- 
ing triumphs of the future. 



712 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

This sketch would be incomplete without some brief re- 
ference to other work in which Dr. Webb was engaged during 
his administration as president of Mississippi College. When 
the consecrated James Nelson died in 1870, Dr. Webb was 
elected to take the place he had so admirably filled, as secretary 
and treasurer of the Board of Ministerial Education. The 
policy of this Board had necessarily to be somewhat changed. 
The new secretary was not expected to give up nor in any 
degree to neglect his college work by taking the field and la- 
boring as an evangelist and agent of the Ministerial Board, as 
the sainted Nelson had done; but the work was to be carried 
on and directed as efficiently as possible from the office at 
Clinton. This was no small addition to the president's already 
burdensome work. There were always from thirty-five to 
fifty young preachers in the college, and at least two-thirds of 
them generally needed more or less pecuniary assistance. The 
money for this purpose must, of course, be collected from the 
churches. This would have been no small task with an agent 
in the field making direct personal appeals. But it was pecu- 
liarly difficult at that period in the history of ministerial educa- 
tion in Mississippi. Most of the churches were indifferent on 
the subject, and some of the pastors were openly hostile and 
endeavored to dissuade young preachers from coming to the 
college. But in spite of all these obstacles by means of exten- 
sive correspondence and appeals through the columns of the 
"Baptist Record," the work was kept well up to the demands 
of each successive year. Only occasionally would a brother 
be compelled to leave college for lack of support. When it 
is remembered that in addition to this work as secretary and 
treasurer of the Board of Ministerial Education, Mr. Webb 
was also secretary of the College Board of Trustees and treas- 
urer of the college, and was required to collect and handle all 
the funds of both Boards, keeping itemized accounts of the 
same and at the close of each session making an elaborate re- 
port of the work done, and indicating the plans and needs of 
the coming session, it is a wonder that he did not utterly break 
down under this fearful accumulation of burdens. For many 
years he did the work of three men, and yet some brethren 
complained because he did not go from church to church 
throughout the State, attend more associations and spend more 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 713 

time at each. Thinking, perhaps, that he had spare time on 
his hands, when the endowment was to be undertaken some 
years ago, the trustees elected him to take charge of the work. 
But feeling that he had reached the limit of his endurance, he 
promptly declined to accept this work, and it was then placed 
in the hands of Dr. J. B. Gambrell. In June, 1891, after eight- 
een years of service as president, Mr. Webb resigned this 
position to accept that of Professor Emeritus of Psychology 
and Ethics, a position which he now fills, 1894. In June, 1882, 
he received the honorary degree of D. D., from our State 
University at Oxford, and a month later the same degree was 
conferred on him by Howard College, Marion, Alabama. As 
a preacher, Dr. Webb was analytical, logical, clear. He easily 
carried his congregation along on the current of thought by 
reason of his simple and forceful diction, his earnest and im- 
pressive delivery. He was pre-eminently a Bible-preacher, 
deducing his sermon from the text rather than simply hanging 
it on the text as a cloak on a peg. As a pastor, he was faithful 
and true, always on time at his appointments, and ever ready to 
administer to the spiritual wants of any member of his con- 
gregation. Few pastors were so successful in winning and re- 
taining the esteem and affection of the churches they served. 
As a college president, Dr. Webb was indeed a model. Just 
and firm and kind in the administration of discipline, rarely 
a delinquent student failed to see that the president was right 
and himself wrong, and afterwards to commend and thank the 
president for his leniency and the tenderness displayed in the 
execution of the college laws. Dr. Webb knew boys and men 
He controlled them mainly by the respect they had for him. 
Never a college president was more generally and tenderly be- 
loved by faculty and student-body, and never will Mississippi 
College have in its presidential chair the superior of Dr. W. S. 
Webb.— J. G. Deupree, LL. D. 

E. L. Wesson, one of the leading pastors in North Missis- 
sippi at this time is a young man, very little over thirty years 
of age and is in the prime of young and vigorous manhood. 
He began preaching in Tippah county, and first appears as 
an ordained minister in 1884. At that time his address was 
Ripley, Miss. Soon after this he became pastor of the church 



J 14 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

at the important town of Byhalia and two other neighboring 
churches, where Ave find him earnestly at work in 1885. In 
this pastorate he continued with great success and with ever 
growing influence until 1890, when he gave up his Byhalia 
pastorate to become pastor at Water Valley, an important 
town on the main line of the Illinois Central railroad. In 
this important pastorate he has been giving his entire time with 
success and ever widening influence. During the fall of the 
present year (1891) feeling that a change would be beneficial 
to the church he offered his resignation at the close of a five 
years' pastorate. When he told his people of his purpose they 
seemed so distressed that it led him to serious thinking over 
the matter, and after ten days of prayerful thought he decided 
it best for the work for him to remain longer. When he an- 
nounced his decision to stay a number of them said, 
" My prayers are answered. " His action in the matter 
was contrary to his own expectations and all of his 
friends hope and are assured the hand of God is lead- 
ing him. He says: "God helping me I will give my life 
more wholly to him." Besides his ministerial labors Mr. 
Wesson is also an able and valuable contributor to the columns 
of the "Baptist Record,'- the denominational paper of the 
State. He is a man of varied and accurate information on 
many subjects, especially those relating to religious doctrine 
and church activity, and he often enriches the columns of the 
"Record" by timely and vigorous discussions of impor- 
tant subjects. May his life be spared many years and may the 
bright future which seems to open out before him be fully 
realized. 

Wilson West. This brother has been helping us in a 
meeting at Shady Grove, two or three miles west of this place, 
Rev. J. L. Causey, pastor. He preached to large congrega- 
tions every day and night for about one week, although he is 
over sixty years of age. His sermons were pre-eminently 
scriptural. They were preached " as the truth is in Jesus. v 
I enjoyed them very much and so did the church generally. 
Five were received into the membership, three by letter and 
two by baptism . Brother West's home is near Waynes- 
boro, Miss. We suppose that no man in Southeast 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 7^5 

Mississippi has done more good than he has. The Lord has 
given him many years of active service, and he has done his 
duty faithfully. He has baptized eleven hundred and sixty- 
nine persons; and, through his ministry, no doubt, many more 
than these were converted to Christ, while many churches 
of our Baptist Zion have been built up, strengthened and 
perpetuated. During all this time he has received but a small 
compensation from the churches — his reward is to come 
hereafter. To him, as well as to many like him, the Master 
will say at last: " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter 
into the joy of thy Lord." — J. B. Hamberlin. 

George Wharton, A. M., the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Noxubee county, Miss., December 25, 1850. His 
father, A. S. Wharton, M. D., located near Cliftonville, in the 
above named county, and was a practitioner of unusual ability. 
His mother was a pious, cultivated woman and the principles 
of truth and piety were early instilled into the heart of her son. 
His education was commenced at the common country 
schools which were good at that time. At the age of sixteen 
he was sent to Summerville Institute, Noxubee county, Miss., 
a noted high school of which Prof. T. S. Gathright was owner 
and principal. Here he spent two years and a half. He then 
entered Mississippi College, Clinton, Miss., where he spent 
two years and graduated with the first honors. In his junior 
year he was assistant professor in Mathematics in Mississippi 
College, taking charge for six months of the higher classes 
in this department in the absence of the professor. At the age 
of sixteen he was converted and united with the Sharon Bap- 
tist church, Deerbrook, Miss. Soon after conversion he was 
impressed with his duty to preach the gospel, and was licensed 
by the Sharon church where he was subsequently ordained. 
After finishing his college course he pursued his Biblical 
studies in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, then at 
Greenville, S. C, now at Louisville, Ky. On leaving the 
Seminary he took pastoral charge of Shuqualak and Summer- 
ville churches, in his native county. After a, successful -pas- 
torate of two years he accepted the position of professor of 
Greek in his alma mater, Mississippi College. During his 
term of service as professor of Greek he was married, July 1, 



7 i6 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



1S83, to Miss Elizabeth H. Menger, oldest daughter of Pro- 
fessor Emil Menger, of Central Female Institute. He retained 
his position in the college with credit for about nine years, 
with the exception of one year spent as junior editor of the 
rt Baptist Record," then located at Clinton, Miss., with Dr. 
J. B. Gambrell, senior editor. On giving up his college work 
he spent a short while at Rochester Theological Seminary, 
Rochester, X. Y. Leaving the Seminary he entered immedi- 
ately upon the work of pastor of the Waynesville Baptist 
church. North Carolina. Four years of labor in this pastor- 
ate was greatly blessed of the Lord. During the latter por- 
tion of his Waynesville pastorate he was also editor of the 
" Western North Carolina Baptist." located at Waynesville. 
After four years of service in this pastorate he resigned, in 
1893, in order to accept the pastorate of the Corinth Baptist 
church, Corinth, Miss., where he is at present (1894) located. 

Henry D. White 
was born in Kemper 
count v. Mississippi, 
April" 1!>. 1835. Hi- 
education was obtained 
in the primary schools 
of Kemper count}-. 
Miss., and the Coffee- 
ville Academy, Clark 
county, Ala. He spent 
the greater part of his 
younger manhood as a 
school teacher. At 
the age of thirteen he 
professed faith in 
Christ and joined the 
Centre Ridge Baptist 
church, Kemper 
county. Miss. In 1858 
WHITE. he was married to 

Miss Amanda S. Pollock; and to them was bom an only son, 
John Buck, to whom they gave a thorough English education. 
Mr. White was ordained to the gospel ministry in January, 
1865, and all through his ministerial life has been successful as 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 717 

a. church organizer, church house builder and pastor. For 
the last seven years he has been engaged in the Mississippi 
Delta, between Vicksburg and Memphis. He has been mod- 
erator of the Deer Creek Association for the last six years, 
and, also, is president of the Executive Board and chairman 
of the fifth Sunday meetings of that association. In all this 
work he has had the confidence and co-operation of some of 
the best Christian men and women in the State. His home, 
for the last nine years, has been in the city of Vicksburg. He 
is quite enthusiastic in his work in the famous and fertile 
Mississippi Delta, and justly feels that that section is destined 
to become the garden spot of Mississippi, materially and 
religiously. He has been exceedingly successful in organiz- 
ing and building up Baptist churches in the Delta. He has 
a talent for work of this kind and has been abundantly blessed 
in his labors. May he be spared to that field many years 
and may the Lord continue to bless and make him useful. 

John E. White, a brother of Henry D. White, was once 
a consecrated and zealous laborer in the ranks of the Missis- 
sippi Baptist ministry, though the greater portion of his life 
has been spent in Alabama, where he now (1894) lives and 
labors, his post-office being Union, Ala. He was pastor for 
a time at Mashulaville, Noxubee county, twelve miles west of 
Macon, and also was pastor of the important church in the 
city of Macon. Later he removed to Starkville, and lived 
there while he was pastor of important neighboring country 
churches. During his residence in Starkville he was seriously 
injured in a railway accident which interfered with his work 
for several years, and perhaps injured him permanently. 
While pastor of these important churches in Mississippi and 
in the Columbus Association he was quite successful. He 
gave himself wholly to the ministry, and, although he had 
a large family his necessities were always met. Leaving 
Starkville, his work was in West Alabama as the esteemed 
pastor at Gainesville and Livingston for a time. This was 
about the year 1880. During the subsequent years his labors 
have been there and in other portions of Alabama. He has 
also labored -much in revival meetings with great success 



718 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

and with the divine blessing upon his work, witnessing many 
conversions and additions to the churches. 

Meedy White, from the best information we can get, 
was born in the territory of Illinois about the year 1782, and 
we know he died in Calhoun county, Miss., in 1864. Of his 
early history little is known beyond the simple fact that he 
entered upon the duties of life poor and illiterate, and if not 
dissipated was passionately fond of fiddling and dancing and 
of the many crude sports and pastimes peculiar to the period 
in which he lived. It is thought by those who have the best 
opportunity to know, that hz joined a Baptist church and even 
began to preach in North Carolina. We learn definitely that 
he was a citizen somewhere in West Tennessee when the 
city of Memphis was known as Chickasaw Bluff; and the 
citizens of thav straggling village offered him a tract or plot 
of land if he would settle there and preach for them. But the 
generous offer was declined with thanks, he assigning as a 
reason for not accepting the gift, that that settlement would 
soon grow into a town and then the people would want and 
require a preacher of better education and talent that he 
possessed. 

About 1830, or perhaps before that date, he was living in 
Tuscaloosa county, Ala., and actively engaged in preaching 
and performing pastoral duties for the few Baptist churches 
of that country. How long he lived and preached in Alabama 
is not known to the writers, but in 1830 he removed from 
Alabama and settled in Choctaw county, Mississippi, and then 
and thereafter his active and successful career as a preacher 
began and continued until near the close of a long life. When 
Mr. White settled in Mississippi the country was wild and the 
people were rude and uncivilized to a degree that would now 
astonish the people to behold. The- country was but sparsely 
settled and churches and school houses were indeed few and far 
between. In the midst of this condition of the country he 
entered upon his ministerial life-work with an energy that never 
faltered before any opposition and triumphed over all diffi- 
culties and obstacles. He began to preach in school houses 
and rude brush arbors and wherever he could collect a congre- 
gation: and the consequence was revivals broke out among 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 719 

the people and churches were constituted, and by him and a 
few other faithful pioneers Zion Association was organized. 
Quite a number of the oldest and most prominent churches 
in Zion Association and in territory contiguous thereto are 
monuments of his labors. In fact the corner-stone of mor- 
ality and Christianity was chiefly laid by him in that portion 
of Mississippi in which he lived. At the time of which we 
write preacher's salaries had not assumed anything like danger- 
ous or even alarming proportions, and Mr. White being poor 
was forced to devote a large portion of his time to labor on 
his farm and in his blacksmith shop to support his family. 
Notwithstanding these pressing demands he found time some- 
how for self-culture, for in his mature years he was a well 
read and well informed man. It would be interesting to 
dwell longer upon the pioneer labors of this man of God, but 
we must not attempt this. As a preacher he was peculiar 
and in some respects almost -wonderful. He was a natural 
orator. He was rather small of stature, light complexion 
and with sparkling gray eyes, and when he began to address 
an audience upon Jesus as the sinner's friend, for that was his 
favorite theme, he became enthused and it seemed as if his 
whole mind and soul were lit up and all aglow with the sub- 
limity of his subject. He so intensely and undoubtingly be- 
lieved that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salva- 
tion to them that believed it, that he could astonishingly im- 
press others with the same belief. His manner of preaching 
was mild and persuasive, still he never compromised with 
Satan nor suppressed his views of creed or doctrine. It was 
truly astonishing to see this man, whose wife had learned him 
to read, at associations and other places where large congre- 
gations had collected, many of whom were intelligent and 
cultivated people, hold them enraptured by his glowing elo- 
quence and pathos. He had the happy faculty of impress- 
ing himself and his subject upon his audience. For many 
years before his death his physical constitution was broken 
and he was very feeble but his intellect held up and even when 
he would grasp both hands upon the front board of the pulpit 
to steady himself and preach a sermon that was surprising 
from one so feeble as he was. Although the life of Mr. White 
is a subject sufficient to write a volume upon we must close 



720 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

this imperfect sketch and in doing so recommend the adop- 
tion of the following resolution: " Resolved, That any history 
of the pioneer Baptist preachers of Mississippi would be in- 
complete that did not contain more than a passing mention 
of the name of Rev. M. White in its pages.'' — C. K. Holland 
and R. A. Mallory, committee of Bethel church, Calhoun 
county, Miss. 

Thomas W. White was born in Brookhaven, Miss., Jan- 
uary 30, 1868; was converted at eighteen years old in a Metho- 
dist meeting conducted by Dr. C. B. Galloway, and united 
with the Methodist church. In October he was licensed to 
preach and entered Centenary College, Jackson, La. While 
in school he began to read his Bible, and soon found himself 
much disturbed in mind on baptism, the Lord's supper and 
other doctrinal points. All these questions were taken by him 
to his pastor, who failed to satisfy him. Finally, in Septem- 
ber, 1887, he gave up his license from the Methodist confer- 
ence, and united with the Baptist church, and was baptized 
by Elder J. R. Parish at Brookhaven. He was granted 
license by the Baptist church of Brookhaven, Oct. 27, 1SN7. 
He soon entered Mississippi College, but was only permitted 
to remain there a short time, when he had to leave and go 
to teaching school. In January, 1890, he was called to the 
pastorate of Damascus, Xew Salem and Piedmont churches, 
in Franklin county, and began his labors as pastor at once. 
He, with Rev. J. H. Gambrell, was ordained at Brookhaven 
in .March, 1890, the presbytery consisting of W. S. Webb, 
D. D„ J. B. Gambrell, A. A. Lomax, B. D. Gray and R. J. 
Boone. The Lord greatly blessed his labors in this pastor- 
ate. His next pastorate was at Lyon. Miss. In September, 
1802, he was called to the care of the church at Jacksonville 
Texas, and began his labors as pastor October 1, 1892. Since 
he began his work there fifty-seven have united with the 
church, her contributions have been more than doubled, and 
his congregations have grown to be the best of five in the 
town. He loves to tell of his first candidate for baptism, of 
whom he says. " I found him, as Brother Farrish found my- 
self, a Methodist preacher, very much disturbed in mind about 
baptism, the Lord's supper, church government, etc. After 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 721 

satisfying his mind on these subjects I gave him a deep water 
baptism and sent him on his way rejoicing." To-day he is 
pastor of Baptist churches in Franklin county, Miss., and is do- 
ing good work for the Master. In these years he has baptized 
thirty-six Methodists. 

Lewis C. Whitehead was born in Carroll county, Mis- 
sissippi, August 23, 1850. His father being in good financial 
circumstances he received good educational advantages, but 
defective eyes prevented his obtaining a thorough education. 
He entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the 
fall of 1872, and remained there in pursuit of his Biblical 
studies for one and one-half sessions. He was unable, because 
of his imperfect sight to write out his lectures in the Seminary 
and so was under the necessity of getting some fellow student 
to do this for him. He was ordained to the ministry at Mount 
Nebo Baptist church, Carroll county, Miss., August 20, 1880. 
He has served as pastor Bethsaida, Oak Grove, Harmony, 
Mount Pleasant, Prospect, Pisgah and Mount Nebo churches, 
all in or contiguous to the territory of the Yazoo Associa- 
tion. His principal work, however, has been as missionary 
colporteur in the Yazoo Association in Which he has been 
eminently successful. Considering the amount of capital 
he has had to work upon he has accomplished a most wonder- 
ful work in selling books. He is small of stature, has never 
married, is deeply taught in the Bible, of unimpeachable piety 
and Christian character and enjoys the unlimited confidence 
of, all who know him. The writer has often said, " Brother 
Whitehead never thinks of anything but religion and selling 
good books.." 

J. H. Whitfield, a pious and esteemed minister of Jesus 
Christ, who has lived for a number of years in Rankin county, 
Mississippi, and who now (1894) lives in Brandon, that county, 
and is about sixty years of age, was ordained to the work of 
the ministry by the Pelahatchie church, Rankin county, Sep- 
tember 8, 1879. The presbyterv was composed of Revs. iM. 
T. Martin and R. A. Whitfield. " Although Mr. Whitfield has 
been out of the pastorate during much of his ministerial career, 
he is a good citizen, a useful and zealous church worker, a 



722 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

laborious Sunday-school worker, and is deeply interested in 
the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom. He is usually 
present at his associational meetings and at the sessions of the 
State convention and is interested in all its proceedings. He 
is a good man. 

Theo. Whitfield, D. D., was born in Mississippi and re- 
ceived good early educational advantages. He received his 
collegiate .education in the University of North Carolina, at 
Chapel Hill, from which he was graduated in 1854. He then 
took a theological course in Newton Theological Seminary, 
Newton, Mass. For a time he was principal of the Mississippi 
State Blind Asylum, in Jackson. He was also Professor of 
Greek in the University of Missouri. Later he returned to his 
native State and was for a time editor of the Baptist State 
paper at Meridian, then, we believe, called "The Christian 
Watchman." From Mississippi he went to Charlotte, N. C, 
and was the esteemed pastor of the Baptist church in that city. 
He received the honorary degree of D. D., from Wake Forest 
College in 1878. He ably and successfully discharged the 
duties of his Charlotte pastorate until a few years ago when he 
resigned in order to accent the oastorate of one of the churches 
in the city of Richmond, Va. He was again crowned with suc- 
cess and the divine blessing rested upon his work in Richmond 
until a few months since, during the present year (1894) he 
received the summons to depart from labor to reward, from 
earth to heaven, when he calmly and triumphantly fell asleen i 
Jesus, greatly honored and esteemed by the people among 
whom he had ministered. 

M. Whittle was born in Edgefield county, S. C, May i, 
1828. He professed religion April 16, 1846 : his parents and 
associates being of the Wesleyan society, and he having been 
sprinkled into that society in his infancy, remained a member 
of it until he was constrained to enter the gospel ministry. 
After having learned the origin of Methodism and studied the 
machinery of that denomination, he discovered that neither was 
according to the Divine model set forth in the Holy Scriptures. 
Therefore he joined the Lutheran denomination, on the fourth 
Sunday in October, 1849. He entered the Classical School and 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 723 

Theological Seminary of the Lutheran denomination in the 
year 1850, and remained in that institution until the year 1856, 
six years. In September, 1856, he entered the junior class in 
Roanoke College, Va., he spent two years in that college, and 
graduated in June, 1858; he was awarded the honor of com- 
posing and delivering the Latin oration at the annual com- 
mencement of that college, it being the final act of his collegi- 
ate course. A short time after his graduation he was elected 
to a professorship in Newberry College, South Carolina, in 
which he took his seat October 1, 1858. Newberry College 
was then the principal college under the Lutheran supervision, 
south of Virginia. In October, 1858, he was ordained to the 
Lutheran ministry, after which he was called to preach to 
churches or societies. In his pastoral duties he came in con- 
tact with the Baptists. An old brother of one of his societies 
informed him that he (Whittle) had enemies to fight — the 
Devil and the Baptists. After investigating both sides of the 
subject of difference between the two denominations, about six 
months, he became convinced that immersion, alone, is bap- 
tism, and that Baptists, alone, held unbroken ecclesiastical con- 
nection with the churches of apostolic times, and therefore he 
had never been baptized, nor did he belong to the Christian 
church. Laboring under this conviction, he relinquished the 
Lutheran ministry, resigned his seat in the college, obtained 
letters of recommendation from the Lutherans, came to West 
Tennessee, and at the Central Association of Baptists, con- 
vened at Poplar Grove church, Gibson county, Tenn., on the 
third Sunday in September, 1860, he was received by said 
church and baptized and ordained to the work of the gospel 
ministry. 

Since he united with us he has been the pastor of several 
churches. His preaching talents are above mediocrity. At 
this writing, 1877, he resides in Haywood county, Tenn. His 
post-office is Brownsville, Tenn. — Borunrs "Sketches." 

In 1888 Mr. Whittle removed to Mississippi and located 
in Hernando, De Soto county, where he now (1894) lives. He 
is advancing in age but in excellent health. 

B. F. Whitten was born in Tippah county, Mississippi, 
April 20, 1864. He is the son of Alfred H. and Elizabeth Ann 



724 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Whitten, Jonesborough, Miss., and grandson of Rev. Ambrose 
Ray, of former years and precious memory. In the seven- 
teenth year of his life he was led to Christ and in his 
eighteenth year united with Union Baptist church, 
under the pastoral care of the late and lamented Gen. 
M. P. Lowrey, D. D. As a layman he was regular, 
prompt and active. For nearly two years he was under 
the instruction of Capt. T. B. Winston, then principal of 
the Male Academy at Blue Mountain, Miss. At the age 
of twenty-two years he was married to Miss Flora Lee Bennett, 
daughter of M. J. and L. J. Bennett, also of Tippah county, 
Miss. He was licensed to preach by Union church and moved 
at once into Union county, where he connected himself with 
Liberty church. At this point he began his public ministry; 
but feeling the need of special preparation for his work he was 
led to take what proved to be a stepping stone to a higher 
education, which was another move to Poplar Springs, Union 
county, where he took an elective course in the Poplar Springs 
Normal College. He was called to ordination in September, 
1888, by the Poplar Springs church; Revs. J. B. Gambrell, R. 

A. Cooper, J. T. Pitts, J. D. Barton, and R. O. Bean serving 
as presbyten-. His ordination sermon was preached by Dr. J. 

B. Gambrell. Soon after ordination he was called to the pas- 
toral care of the Poplar Springs church, and remained in that 
pastorate until he moved into LaFayette county. In this 
county (LaFayette) he helped to organize and was then pastor 
of Burgess church until he left for his desired course in the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., Octo- 
ber 1, 1893. During the year 1893 he was also pastor of the 
Tyro church, Tate county. Mr. Whitten is one of the rising 
young ministers of North Mississippi. 

Isaac Williams. This excellent man preached for several 
years for Carrollton and Lexington churches. Rev. T. S. 
Wright says; "Brother Williams was a learned, pious and use- 
ful minister and died while comparatively young, while pastor 
of Lexington church. I think he preached every Lord's Day to 
that church. His untimely death was a great loss t«» the 
church and to our association." 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 725 

Joseph LaFayette Williams' grand-parents, on both 
father's and mother's side, were from North Carolina and were 
nearly all of long life. His maternal great-grandfather, Ned 
Robinson, lived one hundred and ten years. He was born in 
North Carolina in 1738 and died in Mississippi in 1848. His 
grand-father, Joseph Williams, for whom he was named, was 
born in North Carolina, January 29, 1794 and died in Missis- 
sippi, August 20, 1880, aged eighty-six and one-half years. 
Each set of his grand-parents came among the first settlers of 
Mississippi and encountered many hardships and dangers from 
the wild Indians and other sources. Both grandfathers were 
church members. Grandfather Williams and all his family 
except the father of our subject were anti-missionaries. This 
father, Charles Washington Williams, was a member of no 
church. He was born August 23, 1829, and was killed in the 
late war at Resacca, near the Oostenaula river, Ga., May 6, 
1864, aged forty-four years eight months and thirteen days. 
Joseph was reared by a step-father, J. L. Mooney, on the 
father's old home in the northwestern part of Choctaw county, 
Ala. The father and mother were married December 23, 1856. 
Joseph was born May 29, 1859. In the same year his mother 
was baptized by the same minister who baptized him fifteen 
years later. In 1872 at the closing sermon of the Liberty As- 
sociation, preached by an elderly man whose name is not now 
remembered, he was deeply convicted. He went home with 
a heavy heart, and for two long weeks the terrible conflict went 
on. He prayed, he sang, he cried. At last the heavy load 
seemed to roll away. Then all was light, and happiness, but, 
alas, how soon temptation came and with it sorrow caused by 
yielding. Then came doubting which kept him from joining 
any church for two years. At last he united with Rehoboth 
missionary Baptist church at Pushmataha, Ala., and was bap- 
tized September 5, 1875, by Rev. J. K. Ryan, who several years 
since passed over into the untried bourne. In a few years he 
moved his membership to Mount Zion church, Clarke county, 
Miss. There, in 1881, he was liberated to preach. A few 
years later he moved near Enterprise to the place where he now 
(1894) lives, and united with Union Baptist church. This 
church, upon a request of Wanita church, near Wanita wood 
factory, Lauderdale county, Mississippi, called a presbytery and 



726 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

ordained him December 2, 1888. Revs. S. O. Y. Ray, H. A. 
Pickard, E. A. Clarke, and his pastor, J. D. Stone, formed the 
presbytery, with Geo. H. Brunson, church clerk. Air. Pickard 
preached the ordination sermon from 2 Tim. 4:2; "Preach the 
Word;" Air. Clarke offered the prayer; Air. Ray propounded 
the questions; and pastor Stone delivered the charge. For 
ten years or more he had felt the solemn duty pressing him to 
'"preach the Word," but he had delayed owning it and taking 
up the cross till at last the "woe is me if I preach not" became 
so heavy that he refused no longer to hear and obey. During 
the six years since his ordination he has been pastor, rather 
he says, monthly supply, for from one to four country churches 
within a radius of not more than fifteen or twenty miles from 
his home. He has baptized seventy-eight persons, helped to 
ordain two deacons and preached as near every Saturday an 1 
Sunday as he could, and expects to continue doing all he can 
in this line as long as God gives him power. He was married 
December 23, 1880, to Aliss Lizzie A. Williams, Rev. S. O. V. 
Ray officiating. Into his family have come six children, five 
daughters and one son, and all together they are a pleasant and 
affectionate family. 

J. P. Williams was bom in Kemper county, Miss., May 3, 
1858. His parents lived in the country on a little farm, and 
were Baptists. His father was deacon and was a strenuous 
Baptist. Our subject lived on the farm until he was twenty- 
one years of age, doing nearly all sorts of farm work. In the 
spring of 1880 he entered Alississippi College, at Clinton, be- 
ginning in elementary studies as he had attended school but 
little before. He was converted and joined the church at 
Clinton in Alay, 1880, on his twenty-second birthday, and was 
baptized by Dr. J. B. Gambrell who was then the pastor of the 
church there. He continued in school there four sessions, that 
is until February, 18S4, when he had to quit on account of bad 
health. He was out of school one year when he returned as 
a licensed preacher, having been licensed at Antioch, in Kem- 
per county, where he had placed his membership, on the first 
Sunday in January, 1885. He preached his first sermon in 
April following at a school house in Hinds county. He went 
to fill a brother's appointment and as none of the members 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS 727 

knew him he did not tell them he had never preached before. 
He thinks he was less embarrassed than he would have been 
otherwise. He was compelled to leave school again in Febru- 
ary, 1886, on account of bad health. It was his senior year. 
He was the anniversarian of his society, and stood first in his 
class; but these honors had to be given up. He did not enter 
school again, but stood the examinations yet unfinished, and 
graduated with the class of 1886 and 1887. He taught school 
during the vacations while a student at Clinton and for seven 
months after leaving there. He was called to a pastorate in 
Jefferson county, of Rodney, Fellowship and Sim's Chapel. 
He had done but little preaching up to this time; had filled 
three or four appointments at Pelahatchie and New Prospect, 
both in Rankin county. He began his pastorate in September, 
and was ordained the fourth Sunday in December following, 
in 1886, at Clinton, Revs. B. D. Gray, W. S. Webb, D. D., S. 
M. Ellis and J. L. Pettigrew acting as presbytery. He con- 
tinued his pastorate here only one year, resigning to go to the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was greatly 
strengthened in heart by the encouragements he here received. 
Those good people knew how to hold up the hands of a young 
brother. He went to the Seminary, Louisville, Ky., where he 
remained only till December 23d, being there some two and a 
half months. Again he had to surrender his hopes on account 
of bad health. He returned to Mississippi and began, a pas- 
torate at Brooksville, Sharon and Bethel January, 1888. He 
continued here three years, except that at the close of the first 
year Crawford became a part of his pastorate instead of Bethel. 
His work here was greatly blessed, and seemed satisfactory to 
the church and community, but bad health again compelled a 
change. He was married, September 25, 1889, to Miss Jennie 
E. Cowsert, of Goodman, Miss. 

From Brooksville he moved to Rawls Springs, Perry 
county, Miss., to try the water and climate for his health. He 
taught school for a time, but as the work of the ministry 
opened up he gave up the school to devote his entire time to 
preaching. His health has greatly improved. He is now able 
to preach all the summer in protracted meetings and twice a . 
week all the year. There is great demand for work, as he has 
had more than twice as much work offered him here as he can 



728 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

do. He says : "This has been a prosperous year with my work. 
I have baptized sixty-nine persons since last June." 

G. N. Williams is an earnest minister living now at or 
near Boonville, Miss. His ordination occurred in September, 
1879. The presbytery consisted of Revs. D. A. Ellington and 
W. B. Lloyd. He has been pastor of several churches. 

W. B. Williams was born December 3, 1849, m Clarke 
county, Ala. He was raised on a farm until nearly eleven 
years old. He attended the "old-field" schools, and a Sunday- 
school in a log school house. When nearly eleven years old 
his father committed him to the care of an uncle (by marriage) 
to go to school. He first went to Lake county, Indiana, and 
spent a few weeks at the home of his uncle's father. His home 
was on a beautiful prairie near a fine lake. After his visit there 
they went to Newton Centre, Mass., where his uncle attended 
Newton Theological Institute and he went to the town school. 
He obtained nearly three years' schooling in a fine public 
school of Newton Centre. He then went to Indiana, making 
the trip from Boston to Chicago alone, being a little over thir- 
teen years of age. He remained two years in Indiana, first 
living on a farm and then going to school in Crown Point and 
Ladogo. On November 2, 1865, he enlisted in the United 
States Regular Army and served out a term of three years, 
doing most of his service on the frontier in Kansas, Colorado 
and New Mexico. In that service he had a bit of experience 
that will stay with him as long as he lives. He thinks he 
knows better how to instruct his boys, of whom he has three. 
In September, 1869, he returned to his father's home in Clarke 
county, Ala., having been separated from his parents, brothers 
and sisters for something over nine years. He remained at 
home a few years and then came to Mississippi, stopping at 
West Point. He taught school, first in Alabama, then in Mis- 
sissippi. He w^s licensed to preach by the West Point church 
while Dr. J. T. Freeman was pastor. He attended Mississippi 
College during the session of 1875 and 1876. He returned 
to Alabama after commencement. On November 30, 1876, 
he was married to a lady with whom he played when a child. 
He struggled along for eleven years, teaching, farming and 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 729 

preaching. In the fall of 1885 he received an invitation to 
come to Louisville, Winston county, to preach there and to 
surrounding churches, and teach school in the country. He 
taught the first year, and since has given his time to preaching 
at Louisville and churches adjacent. At Newton Centre he 
attended a fine Sunday-school and became acquainted with 
the families of such men as Drs. Alvah Hovey, Horatio B. 
Hackett, Henry Ripley, Ira Chase and other excellent people. 
He was converted while at Newton through the effort of Rev. 
E. O. Stevens, his Sunday-school teacher, now a missionary in 
Burmah. While he was converted at the age of thirteen he did 
not join the church until he was twenty years of age. He says 
he did more sin between those ages than at any period of his 
life, but always had a lashing of conscience. The minister who 
baptized him said at the time he had baptized a preacher, al- 
though young Williams had no such inclination. He strug- 
gled two years against the impression. He often heard that 
he would be a preacher before he had ever decided to become 
one. The first public efforts he ever made were in a Sunday- 
school class prayer meeting. With none present but his class 
his Sunday-school teacher conducted a prayer meeting, some- 
times in his own room and sometimes in the vestry of the 
Infant Sunday-school -class. He would have his class read the 
Scriptures; he would explain and always had each of his class 
who would to lead in prayer. All of the class, six in number, 
would lead in prayer except one boy. Mr. Williams has often 
wished to know what became of a boy who could resist such in- 
fluences. These influences, together with those wielded by 
his mother, were the cause of his preaching. 

He says : "I am and have been preaching where the writer 
of 'Mississippi Baptist Preachers' formerly preached, and I 
frequently hear him kindly spoken of. During my seven years' 
pastorate in Mississippi I have baptized about one hundred 
and sixty persons. I am serving five churches ; three in Louis- 
ville Association, one in Harmony Association, and one in 
Kosciusko Association. I have always had to struggle against 
a weak constitution and frail health. I am accredited with con- 
siderable energy, but my progress has been retarded by poor 
health." Mr. Williams is an earnest, laborious and conse- 
crated minister of Jesus Christ. 



730 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Thomas B. Williamson was born in Rutherford county, 
Tenn., but his life has been spent in Mississippi, having been 
raised and lived till the present time (1894) eight and one-half 
miles southeast of Grenada. His business has been that of a 
farmer. He has never been strong physically; was quite de- 
licate in his childhood and youth; consequently could not at- 
tend school much. What he knows he has gained largely by 
his own efforts, therefore, his education is imperfect He 
was brought up under moral influences, and being largely as- 
sociated with his mother and sisters he formed no vicious or 
very immoral habits. In 1873, as he says, he was led to be- 
lieve he was converted, presented himself to the Providence 
church, Yalobusha Association, for membership. "I lived/' 
he says, "for sixteen years as nearly as I could according to 
the rules of the church, often led in prayer, taught Sunday- 
schools, conducted prayer meetings, contributed to our bene- 
volent objects and urged others to do so, represented my 
church in our association for years, and in 1888 was elected 
moderator. Through it all however, I was uncertain about my 
salvation; had serious doubts as to whether I was saved or not; 
but as others said they had doubts ; some of whom were Baptist 
preachers, I concluded that none were without them." He 
passed through a season of depression and almost despair in 
1889 and finally was led, in his deep gloom and darkness to 
make a full surrender to Jesus. "Realizing my perfect help- 
lessness," he says, "I submitted all to him. Then the gloom 
was dispelled, the burden was gone and a joyous sense of free- 
dom came into my heart which made it leap for joy. I saw 
what Jesus meant w T hen he said, 'Whosoever believeth on him 
should not perish but have everlasting life.' I had believed 
and saw what his promise bound him to do, that the responsi- 
bility of my salvation was with him and not me. Being sure 
he would not fail or prove untrue I have not since doubted 
that he is my Savior and that he has saved me." "I have not 
received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of 
adoption whereby I cry, Abba, Father. Then his spirit bears 
witness with my spirit that I am God's child, and if a child then 
an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ." "Soon after my 
real conversion," he continues, "I felt a desire to tell others the 
way of life, but the obstacles in the way seemed insuperable. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



731 



Still I let no opportunity, public or private, pass without telling 
others of the way of life. I went on thus until people got to 
saying I was preaching, and about ten months ago it so im- 
pressed itself on my mind that I felt I must preach. 1 ' The 
church at Grenada received intimation of his exercises and im- 
pressions and after hearing him preach twice recommended his 
ordination. He was ordained to the full work of the ministry 
on the third Sunday in January, 1894, by the Grenada church. 
Rev E. B. Miller, former pastor, and Rev. J. W. Lee, then the 
pastor, constituted the presbytery. He at once entered upon 
his duties. He is pastor of a church ten miles from his home 
giving them one-fourth of his time. He preaches once each 
month at a school house near him, where there is no organized 
church. He has good congregations and attention. He says 
it is his effort to sow the seeds of truth, leaving results with 
God who has so much blessed him. He is a good man and 
an earnest warm-hearted preacher. 



D. L. Wilson, son 

of Rev. Joel F. Wil- 
son, was born in 
Choctaw county; 
Miss., July 22, 1847. 
He was converted at 
an early age, and was 
baptized by his father, 
Rev. Joel F. Wilson, 
in 1864, into the fel- 
I lowship of the New 
Hope Baptist church, 
Kosciusko Associa- 
tion. He was ordained 
to the full work of the 
gospel ministry in 
REV. D. L. WILSON. p oplar Creek chu rch, 

in the same association in 1877. He has been preaching to the 
same churches during nearly the whole of his ministerial K x e. 
His work has been signally blessed, and he has been insrr.- 
mental in the conversion of many who are honoring their pro- 




MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 




732 

Session. He, like his honored father, is universally esteemed 
by those who know him. 

Joel F. Wilson. 

Rev. W. H. Head 
says : "I think it super- 
fluous to write about 
this brother, for he yet 
speaks for himself. It 
will be enough to give 
a brief estimate of him 
as a preacher. He is 
still (1884), as for 
years past, 'in labors 
more abundant' than 
many, having five 
churches in his care. 
He is probably the 
most effective preach- 
er for his opportuni- 
ties the Louisville Association has ever had, and some will say 
this is true, opportunity or no opportunity. He is a good 
minister of Jesus Christ and there is no need to say more.'* 
He was born in Walton county, Ga., April 10, 1830, and re- 
moved with his parents to Mississippi at about seven years of 
age. He was converted and united with New Hope church, 
Attala county, Miss., Kosciusko Association, during the year 
1853, receiving baptism at the hands of the late Rev. W. W. 
Nash. Here he was ordained deacon soon after his connection 
with the church. In the same church he was ordained to the 
full work of the gospel ministry in 1859. His educational ad- 
vantages were very limited, not being able to read and write 
well when he began preaching, but, being a man of great native 
ability and a close Bible student, he soon became a strong 
gospel preacher. He has during the thirty-four years of his 
public ministry baptized about fifteen hundred persons, mostly 
in the Kosciusko Association. In this association he still (No- 
vember, 1894) preaches. He holds a warm place in the esteem 
of the churches and is a man of great influence and moral 
force. He is a man of strong faith in the doctrines of the 



REV. JOEL F. WILSON. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 733 

gospel, of unswerving integrity, of strong convictions of truth 
and of indomitable perseverance in whatever he undertakes. 
He has continued with one church during the greater part of 
his ministerial life. He has for a number of years, at different 
times served as moderator of the Kosciusko Association. He 
is the father of Rev. D. L. Wilson, elsewhere mentioned. 

W, H. Wilson. This minister of Jesus was not a relative 
of Joel F. Wilson, mentioned elsewhere. He was once a 
Presbyterian and lived at or near Starkville when he became a 
member of the Baptist church there. Afterwards he moved to 
the vicinity of Wake Forest church, in Louisville Association, 
where he began to preach late in life, although before entering 
the pulpit, he was quite useful in Sunday-school and prayer- 
meeting. He was the father of W. J. Wilson, of the French 
Camp church. He was an acceptable minister and did much 
good as an associational missionary and pastor. He died in 
18G3, highly esteemed for his piety and his works' sake. 

Gideon Woodruff was born in Spartanburg, S. C, in the 
year 1810. He moved to the State of Mississippi in the year 
1839, already a Baptist minister, and settled in a part of Chick- 
asaw county which is now in Clay county. He preached in 
neighbor's houses and under bush arbors, and, later, consti- 
tuted churches in Chickasaw, Choctaw and Yalobusha coun- 
ties. He volunteered as a private soldier in March, 1862, in 
Company B, Thirty-first Mississippi Regiment. He was at- 
tacked by measles, while in the camp of instruction, at Saltillo, 
Mississippi, was furloughed home, and died June 22, 1862. 
He died a member of Pleasant Grove church, Chickasaw 
county.— Committee, R. P. Gullett, L. J. Taylor, T. A. Hill- 
house, C. W. Tomlin. 

N. E. Woodruff was one of the old ministers in the Louis- 
ville Association. Rev. W. H. Head, in 1884, writes thus of 
him: "Although he was one of the presbytery in my own 
ordination I never had much acquaintance with him. He had 
not a liberal education, was a plain and rather forcible, preacher, 
and an earnest contender for the faith. He must have been 
over-sensitive at my seeming depreciation of himself in com- 



734 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

parison with others. A published notice of the ordination 
above referred to, mentioned the non-attendance of S. S. Latti- 
more who had been expected, and expressed regret at it. A 
delegation from his church, Enon, visited the Louisville church 
at its next meeting after, to lay in a complaint of the injustice 
done their pastor in said published notice, which they said, 
placed him in the light of a country clod-hopper in comparison 
with the great Lattimore, though no comparison at all had 
been hinted at or thought of. But great men are not always 
wise, and Brother Woodruff was, we are sure, a conscientious 
good man. He moved away, before his death, from the terri- 
tory of the Louisville Association." 

Robert M. Woodruff was born March 27, 1850, in Louis- 
ville, Winston county, Miss. His parents were members of 
the Baptist church there. When he was two years old he 
moved with his parents eight miles southeast from Louisville, 
where he was raised a farmer, but was surrounded with reli- 
gious influences, and was dutiful to his parents. He was 
never guilty of out-breaking sins, yet he sees and feels now that 
he was a great sinner. In September, 1872, he attended a 
meeting of days at Enon church, and from the preaching of 
the senior Mr. Lanford and of his much loved pastor, Rev. J. 
B. Poteat, he was convicted of sin, felt that he was a lost sinner, 
ruined unless God would forgive him. He was converted, but 
never could tell anything about the precise time that he met 
with God in the pardon of all his sins. All he can say is that 
something came over his mind and enabled him to feel that 
God was the chief object of his love, and the things that he 
once loved and delighted in he now hated. He then became 
perfectly satisfied that God had something for him to do. He 
joined the Enon Baptist church, Winston county, thinking that 
was all God required of him. He soon found out that he was 
greatly mistaken. He began to feel a whispering in his heart 
that as far as he had gone it was all right and acceptable with 
God, but felt that there was something more still. He then 
had an impression of duty to preach, but fought it as long as 
he possibly could. Soon after he joined the church he was 
elected church clerk. Doing that work he fancied would suf- 
fice, but uneasiness still remained. Shortly after this he was 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 



735 



elected deacon, and tried for a long time to satisfy himself that 
was his calling, but soon found himself again mistaken. Thus 
he struggled on for seven long years, and finally yielded. In 
the fall of 1879 he was liberated to exercise, and soon after 
preached his first sermon. Although conscious that it was a 
weak effort he felt considerably relieved. Several years more 
he struggled on, sometimes cast down and sometimes some- 
what comforted from his efforts. He was married to a 
daughter of Mr. J. J. N. Nash and lost his wife prior to 1880. 
Remaining single for some years he was subsequently married 
to another daughter of Mr. Nash. On September 11, 1882, 
he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, the ordaining 
council being Revs. E. Pace, J. W. Sims and M. L. Lanford, 
and his ordination was done by Enon church. His field of 
labor has been confined mostly to the southern part of the 
Louisville Association, though he has labored some little in the 
Choctaw. He has been pastor of Pearl Valley, Enon, and 
other churches accessible from his home at North Bend, Miss. 
He now resides there and is still (1894) abounding in the work 
of the Lord. 

Thomas Shepherd 
Wright was born in Mid- 
dlesex county, Virginia, 
on June 23, 1826. Depart- 
ing this life on June 13, 
1893, he was sixty-six 
years eleven months and 
twenty-one days old. This 
servant of God quietly fell 
asleep in the hospitable 
home of his eldest son, Dr. 
T. W. Wright, in Pickens, 
Mississippi. When a ten- 
der babe of one week, God 
called his Christian mother 
to her home in the skies, 
leaving him to the care and 
training of grand-parents. 
He was a delicate babe 
physically, and indeed was 




REV. T. S. WRIGHT. 



736 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

delicate through life; but with good care of himself and untir- 
ing energy and zeal, he accomplished more work than is com- 
mon in the life time of man. On account of his frailty, his 
education was not what his father intended it to be. His father 
was anxious that he should receive quite a liberal, general edu- 
cation, and then receive special training for the physician's 
calling. But "God who moves in a mysterious way, His won- 
ders to perform" so controlled the circumstances of his young 
life, as to thwart the cherished plans of the father, in order to 
put the son in that higher, that noblest sphere in which man 
can move in this life — the gospel ministry. In his own words, 
taken from a letter under date of September 7, 1889, referring 
to his childhood and youth, he says, "I was so delicate that I 
had to go to school one year and rest the next.'' After spend- 
ing some alternate years in the old field schools in Virginia, 
he entered the Fleetwood Academy in King and Queen county, 
acquiring a fair English education. Though born in Middle- 
sex county, he was reared in Essex, where, in December, 1840, 
at the age of fourteen, he made a profession of faith in Christ, 
and was baptized into the upper Essex Baptist church on the 
first Lord's Day in March, 1841, by Rev. John Byrd. In 1845, 
when in his twentieth year, he removed to Holmes county, Mis- 
sissippi, uniting by letter soon after his arrival with the Baptist 
church at Franklin. On the 15th day of June, 1847, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Walton. The fruit of 
this union, was fourteen children, six boys and eight girls, of 
whom all are living but one. A few years after his marriage, 
he placed his letter in the Lexington Baptist church, which 
licensed him to preach in 1853. Soon afterwards, he was ap- 
pointed missionary in Yazoo Association and, in 1854, was 
called to ordination by the Lexington church. The ordaining 
council was composed of Revs. B. Hodges, W. A. Chambliss, 
D. E. Burns and Z. McMath. Prior to the late war, he was 
pastor of the Baptist church at Richland and other places. 
Subsequently, he served various churches in Yazoo Associa- 
tion and elsewhere. It is a fact worthy of remark, that he was 
one of the most efficient pastors in Yazoo Association. The 
minutes of this association show that the churches of which 
he was pastor were, according to ability, among the most liberal 
supporters of our denominational enterprises. He was 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 737 

thoroughly identified with all our religious interests, and did 
not fail to leave his impress upon the hearts of the brotherhood 
wherever he ministered. In this relation, he bore some marks 
of highest distinction. He was so punctual in meeting his 
flock, that they never doubted his coming on his appointed 
days. This trait insured large congregations and gave him 
larger opportunities for doing good. Naturally he was pos- 
sessed of a very cordial and fervent temperament, and withal 
very sympathetic, simple and earnest. These fine elements of 
character — tempered and stimulated by divine grace, emi- 
nently fitted him for full and prompt obedience to the Apostle's 
exhortation: "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep 
with them that weep." He was the friend of the poor, whether 
individuals or churches, as his life work shows. He did more 
work among the poor people and poor churches with less 
compensation than any man of my acquaintance. But God 
generally gave him rich harvests of souls for his hire. So 
that, wherever he labored, many "believers were added unto the 
church." Among the number whom he led to Christ, his 
" three sons in the ministry," as he seemed delighted to char- 
acterize them, were his "joy and crown." May the noble 
sire's mantle descend to these sons that they may take up the 
work which his lifeless hands have dropped and perpetuate 
it to and through generations yet unborn. He was em- 
phatically the friend and helper of young preachers. He 
would draw them out in the exercise of their gifts and if they 
made a mean effort, he would encourage them and bear them 
up. As a preacher and theologian, he was sound in every 
fibre of his being. He believed the word of God, he loved 
the word of God; and earnestly strove in every particular to 
obey that word. He loved and valued pious, able and schol- 
arly men, but all went for naught in comparison with the word 
of God. He literally obeyed Paul's exhortation to Timothy: 
" Preach the Word." The Bible was his daily companion, 
whether at home or abroad. He was the very soul of honor 
and sincerity. There was no difficulty in locating him on any 
question. He was outspoken and bold, transparent as light. 
He not only had the courage of his convictions, but he had 
the courage to have convictions also, he was not without faults, 
for he was human. But the ratio of his faults to his virtues 



738 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

was far less than in the case of most men. He lived to see 
his large family of children grown and settled in positions 
which put them in moderately easy circumstances in life. All 
but two profess to be the children of God; and I know some of 
them to be His faithful servants. Several years ago he re- 
moved from his country home a few miles northwest of Lex- 
ington to Lexington. He made this his home until the begin- 
ning of the year 1890, when he with his family removed to 
Washington, D. C, where they have since lived. Being at 
times a great sufferer of rheumatism, he chose to spend his 
winters in the milder climate of Mississippi. That dreadful 
disease, cancer, which had manifested itself some years ago, 
developed very rapidly on his left ear, hurrying him to the 
grave. But while death came earlier than his friends a few 
months ago expected, he was not taken unawares or unpre- 
pared. This veteran of God fell in full armor, with face to 
the enemy and faith in his God. In all his late suffering, he 
never expressed a doubt as to his acceptance with the Father 
or the justness of his afflictions. He believed God a loving 
sovereign, and threw himself unreservedly into his arms. In 
all of life's vicissitudes, "in sickness or health, in poverty or 
wealth," his faith found expression in such passages of God's 
word as the following: "And we know that all things work 
together for good to them that love God, to them that are 
called according to his purpose." "For I know whom I have 
believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which 
I have committed unto him against that day." "For I know 
that my Redeemer liveth." Which latter passage was the text 
at his funeral, selected by himself some weeks before his death. 
He also selected two hymns for the occasion, beginning as fol- 
lows: "And Let this feeble body fail;" "My hope is built on 
nothing less." The former being the hymn used on the oc- 
casion of the funeral of his mother, when he was onlv one week 
old. 

In his last illness, his every want was anticipated and sup- 
plied by the loving hands of wife, children and friends. Hon- 
ored sire, never was there any more beautiful devotion and 
service given than that bestowed by thy noble help-meet and 
children. In the language of Leah, thou canst say, "Happy 
am I for the daughters will call me blessed." Ah, what a 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 739 

heritage is the noble life of a father bequeathed to his pos- 
terity! Deep eternity alone will reveal its worth. I had 
often heard him comfort grief-stricken hearts with, "My grace 
is sufficient for thee." And now as he in the evening twilight 
of life, descends into the valley of death, in weak accents, we 
hear him say, "Thy grace is sufficient for me." God be 
thanked for this wondrous grace in Christ Jesus. As he 
stands on Jordan's banks, and views " sweet fields dressed in 
living green," in cadences soft and sweet, we hear in trium- 
phant submission, " it is well, it is well." The funeral services 
were conducted by the writer at the residence of Dr. T. W. 
Wright on the evening of June 14, 1893, in the presence of 
a large number of friends; after which all that is mortal of 
Thomas Shepherd Wright was laid to rest in the Pickens cem- 
etery to await resurrection morn. — T. J. Bailey. 

W. F. Yarborough was born in Yazoo county, Missis- 
sippi, December 11, 1867. The following year his father, 
John Yarborough, moved to Holmes county, where he was 
reared on the farm until seventeen years of age. In September, 
1885 , he entered Gillsburg Collegiate Institute, in Amite 
county, Miss., where he was graduated after two years with 
the degree of B. S., as valedictorian of his class. The inter- 
vening summer of 1886 was spent in Pike county teaching 
a public school, he being then only eighteen years of age. 
After leaving school in the summer of 1887 he returned to 
Pike county where he spent two years in teaching. While 
teaching his first school the conviction came to him that 
he ought to preach, but this conviction did not assume definite 
shape till two years later. In September, 1888, he was licensed 
to preach by the Central church, Holmes county. After teach- 
ing one year longer and preaching occasionally he entered 
Mississippi College where he spent three years, being then 
graduated as B. A. While a student here he was anniver- 
sarian of the Hermenian Society and valedictorian of his 
class. During the first two years of his course he preached 
twice a month as a supply for Mount Pisgah church, six 
miles northeast of Clinton. At the beginning of 1892 he was 
called to the pastorate of Magnolia and Silver Creek churches, 
Pike county, to preach semi-monthly at the former and 



740 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS 



monthly at the latter. He was then ordained to the full work 
of the ministry by the Clinton church and entered upon his 
new field of labor. After graduation he made Magnolia his 
headquarters, serving the church there and at Silver Creek 
till October, 1893, when he gave up their care and entered the 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, at Louisville, Ky. 
Four months of 1893, in addition to other duties, he spent 
in teaching the Magnolia graded school, filling a vacancy 
caused by the resignation of one of the teachers. This first 
pastorate was not without some marks of growth in the 
churches and was made pleasant to the young pastor by many 
marks of kindness and appreciation from a dear, good people. 
He has spent one term in the Seminary doing excellent work 
and is back there again during the present session ( 1 S94 and 
1805) to remain as long as it seems to be his duty to stay. 
He is on the editorial staff of the "Seminary Magazine." 



C. B. Young. The 

town of Sardis, in Panola 
county, Miss., on the 23d of 
September, 1880, was both 
greatly surprised and deeply 
saddened at the sudden 
death of the subject of this 
sketch. Then and there the 
relentless disease known as 
apoplexy, at one fell stroke, 
ended an eventful life. I 
write the more willingly, yet 
with sad heart, what I am to 
write to the memory of this 
great and good man, be- 
cause of the associations of 
other years, both pleasant 
and profitable, that are 
necessarily recalled. In por- 
traying the life of Rev. C. 
B. Young, I do it with the 
He was, indeed, to me a 
father in the gospel ministry and his memory shall ever be 




REV. C. B. YOUNG, 
reverence of a son for a father 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 74 1 

revered as such. I am yet comparatively a young man and 
only enjoyed Brother Young's intimate acquaintance for a few 
years. Yet I am in possession of sufficient data to give a 
fair statement of the main facts of his life. I introduce here 
an extract from an editorial in the ' Baptist Record" published 
soon after his death : " We knew Brother Young, and only 
knew him to love and respect him. He belonged to that 
noble band of pioneer preachers who, under God, made the 
wilderness and desert places of the State blossom as the rose. 
*-.*■'*'* We have met but few men with more of the 
elements of success. He was progressive, as his large library 
of well-read books indicated. Debarred the privileges of 
schools in early life, he was, nevertheless, a strong advocate 
of education, especially of ministerial education. * * * ■*-. 
Brother Young was in hearty sympathy with all the 
forward movements of the denomination. In every 
sense he was a large-hearted and princely man. His piety 
was known and felt by all about him; and, to direct 
all, he was endowed with extraordinary common sense 
and sound judgment. His life work was a great one." And 
that the reader may get a more consecutive history of 
the life of this great and good man I will reproduce, with 
slight changes, what I wrote for the " Baptist Record" soon 
after his death: Rev. C. B. Young was born in Franklin 
county, North Carolina, February 15, 1814. He professed 
a lively hope in Christ in 1821, and identified himself with 
Cross Roads church. He subsequently removed his mem- 
bership to Rolseville church, by whose authority he was 
licensed to preach the gospel. In 1840 he removed to Mis- 
sissippi and united with the Chulahoma church, Marshall 
county, and was ordained to the full work of the gospel min- 
istry June 14, 1845, being then thirty-one years of age. From 
there he went to the Tallaloosa church. In 1852 he united 
with Union church, Panola county. In 1871 he moved his 
membership to the Sardis church. In 1876 he removed his 
membership back to Union church where it remained until 
his death, September 23, 1880. During the years of 1847 and 
1848 he rode as missionary in the bounds of the Coldwater 
Association, with the model and exemplary co-worker, Rev. 
Whitfied Dupuy. He served as pastor, during his ministry, 



742 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

the following churches: Tallaloosa, Chulahoma, Wyat, Tyro, 
Looxahoma, Gravel Springs, Bethel, Mount Zion, Salem, 
Peach Creek, Mclver, Panola, Carolina, Sardis and Union, 
making fifteen in all. 

Perhaps no other minister that ever lived in the Coldwater 
Association has ever been the pastor of more churches in so 
limited a territory, especially when it is remembered that he 
served Union church twenty-eight years in succession. The 
true facts of his having served so great a number of churches 
in so small a territory, and one of them twenty-eight years, 
speaks volumes in favor of his great popularity as pastor, 
preacher" and man. Brother Young was verily a pillar in 
the Coldwater Association, and when he was removed the 
fabric seemed to tremble and totter. As evidence of the great 
esteem in which he was held by that body, the following lan- 
guage occurs in the report presented by the committee on 
obituaries, at the next meeting of the association after his 
death, which was adopted as expressive of the sentiments 
of the body: "Brother Young grew up without the advan- 
tages of education, but being possessed of native mental qual- 
ities of the highest order, he soon obviated this disadvantage 
in his work as a minister, by close study of that book of books, 
the Bible. He was a man of wonderful persuasive powers, 
and his sermons were characterized by the prominence given 
to the cardinal points of the gospel. Hundreds were con- 
verted under his ministry, but the good resulting from his 
work can never be estimated this side of the great day of 
accounts. Being possessed of a competency, his liberality in 
contributing to this body was characteristic of his broad and 
eminently philanthropic Christian heart. He delighted in the 
service of the Master, and was prominent in every good word 
and work. Full of years and honors, he has passed to his 
reward on high: Resolved, That this Association sorrows 
deeply and sincerely over the loss of our dear brother." 

Similar sentiments of esteem and commendations of his 
life were expressed in resolutions of respect adopted by his 
church. Union. What has been said above of the eminently 
liberal spirit of this man in more prosperous years, was equally 
characteristic of him in less favored years. Beginning life 
poor it was needful that he should practice economy, but he 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS 743 

never withheld his benefactions from the poor, nor his gifts 
from the divine altar, in order to accumulate wealth. He 
believed God who said, " He that giveth to the poor lendeth 
to the Lord," and the promise that, "The liberal soul shall 
be made fat." As illustrative of his benevolent spirit and 
simple faith in the promises of God, the following anecdote 
related by himself is to the point, " When I and my wife were 
just entering upon life, and had to work, struggle and econ- 
omize closely to live, there was an appeal for a charitable con- 
tribution. I gave ten dollars. My wife thinking it was 
rather a large sum for us in our circumstances, was rather 
disposed to chide me. I replied, 'He that giveth, lendeth to the 
Lord, and he will repay him.' In a short time I was employed to 
marry a wealthy gentleman, who paid me fifty dollars. On 
reaching home I showed my wife the money, saying, You see 
the Lord has paid me back five-fold." Mr. Young was not 
only found at the front in the ministry, in the church, in social 
life, and in the general benevolent work of the community, but 
withal a public-spirited man. When a strong blow for prin- 
ciple could be made in the great issues of the day, his influ- 
ence was felt. Temperance had in him a great and uncompro- 
mising champion. Without compromising any principle or his 
reputation as a Christian minister, his influence in behalf of 
what he considered true political principles, or party rights, 
was ever ready to be exerted. Having said this much about 
the character and life of one of Panola's worthy dead, and one 
of nature's true noblemen, I close this imperfect sketch by 
begging those who knew him better than I to supply in mind 
all the vacuums for which material was not in my possession. — 
January 12, 1887. 

This. noble man of God has still living children and 
grand-children in Sardis and Panola county, who are filling 
worthy places in society and in the membership of Baptist 
churches which the honored minister of Jesus loved so well, 
and his memory is still fragrant throughout the Coldwater 
Association. He was a warm friend of Dr. J. R. Graves, and 
his facile pen often contributed to the columns of the " Ten- 
nessee Baptist" so long and ably edited by Dr. Graves. He 
rests in peace and hope. — W. I. Hargis. 



744 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

Jesse Young. It is with feelings of deep sorrow that this 
association has been informed of the death of our beloved 
brother, Rev. Jesse Young, lately deceased, who departed this 
life since the last meeting of this body, that is, May 28 last 
(1847). Our deceased brother was a native of the State of 
South Carolina, and immigrated to this State in 1811; pro- 
fessed a hope in the Lord and Savior; was baptized 
in 1812, and ordained a minister of the gospel August 
15, 1827, at Mars Hill church, Amite county, Miss. 
He served as a private in the war of 1812, and dis- 
tinguished himself among that glorious band of patriots 
who imperilled their lives in defense of our beloved 
country. As a minister of the blessed gospel of the Savior, 
Brother Young was remarkable for his zeal and activity. His 
labors as such were indefatigable, and greatly blessed. As 
one of the pioneers of the gospel, he was greatly instrumental 
in promoting the Redeemer's kingdom in the southern portion 
of this State and in the destitute sections of Louisiana. Under 
various circumstances, in heat and cold, sunshine and rain, 
he proclaimed the truth of the gospel to a perishing world, 
and ceased only from his labors when he was called away to 
reap the reward of the righteous — an inheritance among the 
saints. He was a prominent member and promoter of the 
various religious and benevolent institutions established by 
our denomination, and was. emphatically, a living exponent 
of missionary principles. Therefore, be it resolved, whereas 
divine Providence has been pleased to remove from among 
us by death, our beloved brother. Rev. Jesse Young, that 
while we deeply deplore the death of our lamented brother, 
we bow with humble resignation and submission to the will of 
God: that in the death of our lamented brother, we feel that 
the church has lost a useful member, and this association one 
of its most excellent ministers ; that we tender our sympathies 
to the bereaved family of our deceased brother, and pray the 
Lord to bless and sanctify this afflicting dispensation of his 
providence. — Minutes of Mississippi Association. October, 
1847. 

William Young, the popular pastor of Oak Grove church, 
Pontotoc county, in ante-bellum days, was a preacher of fine 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 745 

ability and deservedly esteemed by the entire association. At 
their annual meeting at Camp Creek, in 1860, he was chosen 
moderator; but for the last time he had met with many whose 
earnest grasp upon taking the "parting hand" at the close 
of the sessions, gave pathetic expression to the warm place 
he held in the hearts of the brotherhood. Like the noble 
and lamented General M. P. Lowrey, the brave and beloved 
Col. Lewis Ball, the quaint but eloquent and zealous A. A. 
Lomax, and scores of others, among the talented and devoted 
preachers of our beloved Southland, he felt it to be his duty 
to respond to his country's call to arms. He lead to battle 
as brave a company as ever gathered to the Confederate 
standard; but if we are not mistaken, ere the conflict ended 
he was summoned to a " better land," where the blast of " war's 
great organ shakes not the skies." — St. Clair Lawrence. 

J. T. Zealy, D. D., was born in South Carolina in 1830. 
He received his education largely in the State military school 
of South Carolina. Feeling impressed with the duty of 
preaching the gospel he yielded to these convictions and in 
due course of time was ordained to the full work of the min- 
istry at Beaufort, S. C, in 1851. His first pastorate of im- 
portance was at Tallahassee, Florida, the capital of the State, 
where he was successful in his labors. Leaving Tallahassee 
he became pastor of the church at Cheraw, S. C. Having 
served this church acceptably for some years, he became pastor 
of the church at Columbia, South Carolina. He preached 
here, in this elegant and refined capital of the cultured State 
of South Carolina, where the State University is located, for 
a term of five years. During the war of the States he was 
president of several female colleges. In fact, Dr. Zealy has 
been through his life an earnest worker in education. In 
1868 he became pastor of the Baptist church at Houston, 
Texas, where he continued successfully and acceptably for 
the extended period of seven years. His memory is still 
fragrant with the people of Houston among whom he labored 
so acceptably. Receiving a call to the pastorate of the church 
at Jackson, Miss., the capital of the State, he resigned at Hous- 
ton, and began his work in Jackson in 1875. In connection 
with his pastoral labors in Jackson, he also taught school 



746 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

in the city, and the writer has heard some of his former pupils, 
young ladies, speak of him in the most pleasant and rever- 
ential manner. He continued in the Jackson pastorate until 
succeeded in 1880 by Dr. H. F. Sproles, he having resigned. 
He continued to reside in Jackson for a time when he accepted 
the pastorate of the church at Canton, Mississippi. He 
preached for a few years acceptably at Canton, but the church 
being much weakened and unable to support him he resigned 
to accept the pastorate of the Baptist church in Winona, Miss., 
in 1885. In connection with his pastoral labors here, he 
served also neighboring churches at Water Valley, Hardy 
Station, Mount Nebo. Yaiden and other places. The dis- 
tinguished educator, Prof. Milton E. Bacon, president of 
Winona Female College, having died, Dr. Zealy was elected 
as his successor, and administered the affairs of the college 
in connection with his pastoral labors. At the close of the 
year 1886, however, he resigned the pastorate of the Winona 
church, in which he was succeeded by the writer of these 
sketches, and gave himself to educational work in connection 
with the pastorate of neighboring churches for some years. 
He was quite an acceptable preacher and was always in demand 
for as much pulpit service as he was able to render. His 
school continued to prosper until it was seriously crippled 
by the establishment of a large graded school by the city of 
Winona and its equipment with a ten thousand dollar brick 
building, open to the girls and boys both. Feeling that this 
school would practically destroy the future prospects of his 
school and his health seriously failing, Dr. Zealy a few years 
later removed, with his excellent wife and a daughter who 
lived with him, to McComb City, Miss., and spent his time 
in the home of a relative, unable physically for any ministerial 
work. In this pleasant home December 10, 1893, he "fell 
on sleep" and went to his reward. In the minutes of the 
State Convention of 1894 it is said: "Dr. J. T. Zealy lived 
for many years in our State and preached the gospel with 
great power. He was a wise and prudent leader, a good man, 
and lived long and well in the Master's service. ,, He was 
sixty-three years of age at the time of his death. 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 747 

APPENDIX. 

The following from Rev. V. H. Cowsert was omitted 
by mistake at the proper place: 

" With the faint hope that the many curiosity seekers 
who may chance to read these lines, seeing no note of my 
ascent in life, may find some gratification in tracing my 
descent in life, I submit the following brief facts to their scru- 
tiny: I saw the light Nov. 18, 1866, for which I have never 
ceased to be thankful. My parents, J. J. and D. M. Cowsert, 
were natives of Alabama, but shortly after their marriage 
moved to Holmes county, Miss., where they have since 
resided. This before I knew them. I was born the youngest 
of only thirteen children, which accounts for the meager pro- 
portions of my spare built body. I am the youngest still 
and have little hope of being otherwise. In my thirteenth 
year I gave my heart to Jesus, and on my thirteenth birth- 
day, Nov. 18th, 1879, I was baptized into the fellowship of 
the Goodman Baptist church. It was in the town of Good- 
man that my father has lived for the past thirty-five years, and 
it was here that my early childhood was spent. I had the 
advantages of the yearly free school which consisted of a 
term of four months, giving me ample time to learn sufficient 
to forget during the remaining eight months of the year. This 
school I attended regularly each year, having begun at five 
years of age until my sixteenth year. The rest of the time I 
reluctantly spent on my father's farm. Having gradu- 
ated there to my full satisfaction, and feeling called 
of God to proclaim the unsearchable riches of his gospel, 
I at once determined to enter college and prepare 
myself for this, the grandest of callings. This I was 
enabled to do, through the courtesy of friends under God's 
direction, and on the 11th day of October, 1883, I went to 
Mississippi College, and for the first time in my life, 'rubbed 
my back ag'in' a college wall.' I put forth my first effort 
from the pulpit at Flag Chapel, a country church five miles 
from Jackson, Miss. This was one of the happiest days of 
my life. To this appointment I walked fivei miles without 
feeling the least wearied after I got there. The summer 
following I spent in evangelistic labors with several pastors 
of the Yazoo Association. During my college course I sup- 



748 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 

plied several churches. I also served as pastor of the church 
at Rocky Springs, Yazoo county, and later on the church at 
Terry, Hinds county, of which I am still pastor. I was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry August 7th, 1887, 
by the Goodman Baptist church at the request of the church 
at Terry, the presbytery consisting of Revs. H. F. Sproles, 
A. V. Rowe and my pastor, T. J. Bailey. 

" I have not yet departed from the path of single blessed- 
ness (thanks to a kind providence and the girl I left behind 
me), deeming it wiser to depart to this Seminary and the more 
thoroughly equip myself for my life-work. This I accord- 
ingly did on September 29th, 1887; and here, where I find 
so much of importance to engage my attention, T find also 
a happy termination for this labyrinthine sketch." 

Errata. — The following typographical mistakes have 
escaped detection, besides some of minor importance: Page 
eight, third line from bottom, for " whom" read " who." Page 
fifteen, sixth line from top. for '"five" read "nine.'* Page 
twenty-eight, fourth line from top. for " 1884" read " 1S!>4." 
Page thirty-eight, sixth line from top, for "State Springs" 
read " Slate Springs." Page thirty-nine, twentieth line from 
bottom, for "X. H. Thompson" read "W. II." Page forty- 
seven, seventeenth line from bottom, for "ordinary" read 
"ordaining." Page forty-eight, eleventh line from bottom, 
for "Barnwell" read "Burwell." Page fifty, second line 
from top, for " little" read " better." Page fifty, fourteenth and 
eighteenth lines from top, for " Arkabutal" read " Arkabutla." 
Page fifty, eighth line from bottom, and page one hundred 
and ten, twelfth line from bottom, for " Atlanta" read " Attala." 
Page eighty-seven, seventh line from bottom, for " turn" read 
" term." Page eighty-eight, eighteenth line from bottom, for 
" Shulenta" read " Shubuta." Page one hundred and twenty- 
eight, first line at top and ubique, for* 'Carson" read "Cason." 
On page two hundred and twenty-three, seventh line from 
top for "invited" read "visited." On page two hundred and 
seventy-five, fourth line from top for '!Silvain" read "Silo- 
am." On page two hundred and eighty-six, nineteenth line 
from bottom for "worthy" read "worldly." On page three 
hundred and four, seventh line from top for "William H. Gil- 



MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS. 749 

bert" read "William W. Gilbert." On same page, second 
line from bottom for "left" read "felt" On page one hun- 
dred and thirty-two, second line from bottom place 
period after "higher" and erase balance of that line. 
On page three hundred and twelve, sixteenth line 
from top for "Shulenta" read "Shubuta," On page 
three hundred and forty-seven, fourteenth line from top 
for "Gibbons" read "Giddens." On page three hundred 
and fifty- three, second line from top for "sufficient" read 
"sufficiently." On page three hundred arid sixty-eight, 
eighteenth and nineteenth lines from bottom, for "Gallinan" 
read "Gallman." Read at top of page three hundred and 
eighty -three, first line, on page three hundred and eighty-four. 
On page three hundred and eighty-seven erase thirteenth line 
from top. "William Hood" (fourteenth line) should be in 
thick type. On page three hundred and ninety-nine, for 
"Then" read "There." On page four hundred and twenty- 
eight, seventh line from bottom for "naturally" read "mutu- 
ally." On page four hundred and thirty-eight, fourteenth 
line from top erase "connection," and place period after 
"pastorate." On page four hundred and sixty-six, fourth 
line from bottom, for "the important" read "an important." 
On page four hundred and seventy-one, second line from top 
for "just mentioned" read "mentioned on page four hundred 
and seventy-four." On page four hundred and seventy -two, 
second line from bottom, "Eld. G. H. Martin" should not be 
in thick type as it is a continuation of the sketch of "Gran- 
ville Hopwood Martin." On page four hundred and eighty, 
first line at top for "Wylie Alfred Martin" read "Wylie Alfred 
Mason;" second line on this page was accidentally dropped 
out and lost. On page four hundred and ninety-two, twelfth 
line from bottom for "1871" read "1817." On page four 
four-hundred and ninety seven, fifteenth line from top is acci- 
dentally inserted for one which was dropped out and lost. On 
page five hundred and one, twelfth line from top for "Lee" 
read "Lea." On page five hundred and twelve, eleventh 
line from top for "1885" read "1858." On page five hun- 



750 MISSISSIPPI BAPTIST PREACHERS, 

dred and twenty-six, twentieth line from bottom for "Ponah" 
read "Jonah." On page five hundred and thirty-three 
thirteenth line from bottom for "died" read "did." On page 
five hundred and forty, ninth line from bottom for "height- 
ened" read "high-toned." 









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